(July 13, 2011) -- The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has begun work on the Lake Frank Trail project, a community stewardship effort as part of the $2.5 billion Intercounty Connector (ICC) project.  Work on the Lake Frank Trail project is expected to be completed late-fall, weather permitting.

The Lake Frank Trail project includes constructing a new connector trail in the Rock Creek Regional Park.  The 2,500-foot long, 10-foot wide asphalt trail will connect the existing Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail to the trail system on the east side of Lake Frank.  This location was selected specifically to reduce the impact on trees in the park.  A pedestrian bridge is included as part of the project to allow users to cross a small tributary to Rock Creek.

Other highlights of the project include:
• Planting tall evergreen trees as a screen;
• Enhancing storm water drainage systems; and
• Installing trail signs to guide users.
       

Upon completion the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will operate and maintain the trail.

SHA awarded the $884,000 contract to Peak Inc., of Columbia.

A total of $370 million, or 15 percent of the overall ICC project budget, is dedicated to environmental stewardship. Of that total, $109 million is specifically dedicated to projects intended to benefit the communities and natural resources that are affected by ICC construction. This includes attending to degraded environmental conditions and addressing community needs in the study area that are not a result of ICC construction.

For more information about the project, persons may call the ICC Community Outreach staff at 1-866-462-0020 or visit the ICC project website at www.iccproject.com.

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