News Release

National Park Service Supports Safety, Access Improvements on Broad Branch Road NW 

Date: December 17, 2025
Contact: Rock Creek Park, 771-215-6954

WASHINGTON — A key street along the southwest edge of Rock Creek Park is one step closer to a safer future for everyone who uses it. 

The National Park Service has approved an environmental assessment prepared by the District Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to rebuild 1.5 miles of Broad Branch Road NW between Linnean Avenue NW and Beach Drive NW. The project will: 

• Fix aging pavement and stormwater systems 

• Improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists 

• Create stronger walking and biking connections to Rock Creek Park trails 

To support these changes, a small piece of NPS-managed land will be permanently transferred to DDOT. Construction access and short-term impacts to parkland will be managed through a special use permit that requires the site to be restored when work is done. 

On NPS land, the project will add a new sidewalk from the Soapstone Valley Trailhead to the parking area at Picnic Grove #2 North, replace the Soapstone Creek culvert, and repair selected retaining walls and drainage outfalls. These improvements will make it easier and safer for people to reach and enjoy Rock Creek Park.  

NPS signed a Finding of No Significant Impact on Dec. 10, 2025, concluding that the project will not cause major environmental harm and outlining steps to avoid or reduce impacts. The FONSI is available at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?ProjectID=131531

With environmental review complete, DDOT will move into design and construction once funding is secured. For updates on timing and next steps, please visit DDOT’s website or contact DDOT directly. 

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: National Park Service employees care for America’s more than 430 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.