Walk the gravel path behind Elm Street Park this month, and you will still find the chain-link fencing that has framed this stretch of the Capital Crescent Trail since 2017. Construction crews are still moving equipment along the old Georgetown Branch right-of-way. But something in the schedule has quietly shifted – explaining why this fall might finally deliver the reopening Chevy Chase has been waiting for.
The Nine-Year Detour, in One Sentence
The gravel and dirt section of the trail running east from Bethesda through Chevy Chase to Silver Spring closed in September 2017 to allow construction of the Purple Line light rail along the same corridor. For cyclists commuting into Bethesda or pedestrians walking toward the Silver Spring Transit Center, that closure resulted in nine years of surface-street detours. Purple Line construction was severely delayed first by a major contractor dispute in 2020 and subsequently by complex utility relocations.
The Policy Change Nobody Announced Loudly
For years, the baseline assumption was that the trail would only reopen once light rail service commenced. However, in May 2024, the Maryland Department of Transportation decoupled the two timelines. MDOT announced that the Capital Crescent Trail segment will open on its own schedule – tentatively fall 2026 – more than a year before the Purple Line begins passenger service in late 2027. This decoupling means trail access no longer hinges on light rail operational readiness.
State transit officials expect main trail construction along the Purple Line alignment to be substantially finished by spring 2026, with the surface trail connection through Elm Street Park wrapping up within the fiscal year. Full reconstruction of Elm Street Park’s surrounding landscaping and amenities will extend into fiscal year 2027, meaning the path will be paved and accessible even as work on adjacent parkland continues.
What's Actually Different on the Ground
When it reopens, the path will feature significant infrastructure upgrades over the pre-2017 crushed-stone trail:
- A 12-foot-wide paved path replacing the original gravel surface between Bethesda and downtown Silver Spring.
- A realigned surface trail through the Town of Chevy Chase along 47th Street and Willow Lane, routing directly into Elm Street Park.
- A direct connection at the eastern terminus to the Metropolitan Branch Trail at the Silver Spring Transit Center.
The Capital Crescent Trail spans 11 miles from Georgetown to Silver Spring, including 3.5 miles within Montgomery County. Historically one of the most heavily used trail networks in the region, restoring this central segment will relieve traffic on surrounding residential bypasses.
The One Crossing That Won't Look Different
One major obstacle remains: the proposed Wisconsin Avenue tunnel in downtown Bethesda remains unfunded. Omitted from consecutive county capital budgets as projected costs escalated from $55 million to $82 million, the crossing will continue to require an at-grade street navigation for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Same Street Is Also Getting a New Anchor
Alongside infrastructure development, the local commercial corridor along Connecticut Avenue is expanding. On June 10, 2026, Wheelhouse opened at 5714 Connecticut Avenue, NW in the space formerly occupied by the Wine & Organic Market. Spanning 4,500 square feet with seating for 211 guests across its dining room, bar, and patio, the establishment features a 33-foot bar and a dedicated takeout counter catering to nearby venue audiences, such as the Avalon Theatre.
Bo Blair, founder and CEO of Georgetown Events Hospitality Group, told Bethesda Magazine before the opening that the goal was straightforward. "We're glad to offer something really cool for the whole neighborhood."
Operated by Georgetown Events Hospitality Group (the team behind Millie's in Spring Valley), Wheelhouse joins an established dining cluster that includes Opal, BirdSong, Parthenon, Little Beast, and Clyde's of Chevy Chase, adding substantial seating capacity and weekend brunch service to the strip.
One Corridor, Three Different Changes
The convergence of commercial growth, trail reconnection, and transit development is transforming the corridor. In August 2026, Bonaventure acquired an ownership stake in Crescent at Chevy Chase – a 111-unit residential development positioned near the upcoming Connecticut Avenue Purple Line station and adjacent to trail access – underscoring institutional investment in the area's transit-oriented growth.
What to Actually Put on the Calendar
As reopening approaches, residents can look forward to a restored connection between Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and Silver Spring, complemented by new local amenities along Connecticut Avenue.
For insights on how these infrastructure updates impact local real estate values, contact the team at Corcoran McEnearney for a Local Market Consultation.
