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Charles County pledges support and $50,000 local match for Prince George's-led Herbert Branch trail study

Charles County Board of Commissioners · May 19, 2026
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Summary

Planning staff asked the board to provide a letter of support and a proposed $50,000 local match for a regional bikeways grant to study converting the CSX Herbert Branch spur to a rail-trail. Planning and transportation staff said the study would not affect the planned Southern Maryland Rapid Transit alignment and commissioners approved the support.

Planning staff sought the commissioners' support for a Prince George's County-led application to study conversion of the CSX Herbert Branch (Herbst Creek) rail spur to a regional trail. Marcus Taramo and Joel Binkley (planning staff) described the regional coordination with the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission and Prince George's County and said the bikeways grant would help explore feasibility, connectivity and potential tourism and recreation benefits.

Taramo said the partners are pursuing about $500,000 from the state bikeways grant and that Prince George's County requested a local match proposal that would split the local share approximately 50/50, with Charles County's contribution being $50,000. "So they were seeking from us they're seeking a, a letter of support, just to kind of say we are seeking to go and move forward with potentially working together," Taramo said. Commissioners asked whether the rail spur would interfere with Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT). Jason Groth, director of planning and growth management, answered directly: "This does not affect the SMRT alignment," and explained the spur is a separate branch off the main CSX line.

The board voted to provide the letter of support and to approve the requested local match contribution as presented; staff said the action would not obligate the county to purchase the line or take any acquisition steps without later board approval.

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