Leave it better: pedestrian connections: a new pedestrian bridge provides access to public transportation while blending with a neighboring park.

Project:

East Street Extended, Frederick, Md.

Problem:

When a new Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) station was built in historic downtown Frederick, the city added an important new rail and bus connection for commuters between western Maryland and downtown Washington, D.C. The problem was that there was no direct pedestrian or vehicle access to the new station. The only logical solution was to extend East Street over or through the adjacent Carroll Creek Park--an active community park.

Solution:

Working in tandem with the Maryland Transit Administration and the Maryland State Highway Administration, a team of landscape architects and engineers developed a pedestrian circulation study and subsequent plans for a bridge extension over the park. Vehicles can access the transit station via the new bridge, and pedestrians cross from either side of newly-extended East Street. These connections are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and landscaped for seasonal interest, seamlessly integrating the park with downtown Frederick and the new station. A new stone seat wall was built as part of the project to provide additional places to enjoy Carroll Creek.

Cost:

The total project cost was approximately $2.5 million.

Lead Time:

The new MARC Station had been in planning for about five years. In addition, Maryland State Highway Administration eventually wanted to connect East Street with Interstate 70. The two projects were designed concurrently since both would need to be completed in order to open the MARC station to commuters. The station was completed and dedicated in 2001.

Partnerships:

Baltimore-based Mahan Rykiel Associates, a landscape architecture firm, and RKK Engineers, partnered with state and local officials and worked with the city of Frederick's Historic District Commission and Frederick Working Group. The team worked closely to ensure that the design of the East Street Bridge was consistent with the existing architectural character of the city.

Community Impact:

"It's fantastic" says Ken Schmidt of Mahan Rykiel Associates. Citizens can now stroll, bike or rollerblade along Carroll Creek with direct access to both the MARC station and historic Frederick. Accented with pre-cast panels of oak leaves and acorns, gateways to the paths along the East Street Bridge provide a sense of identity to the park and add detail to the small town charm of this western Maryland city.