LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County commissioners voted Tuesday, May 19, to support a regional grant effort that could help determine whether part of the CSX Herbert Branch rail corridor could eventually become a hiker- and biker-friendly trail connected to broader Southern Maryland trail plans.
County officials emphasized the vote does not approve construction of a trail, purchase of the rail corridor or future development. Instead, the action supports a grant application and local match that would allow a feasibility and concept study to move forward.
During the Board of County Commissioners meeting, county staff requested approval of two items: a letter supporting Prince George’s County’s application to The Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program and authorization of a proposed $50,000 local funding match if the grant is awarded. Combined with Prince George’s County’s contribution and state funding, the request totals $500,000 for feasibility and preliminary design work.
Marcus Tarjamo, planner I with the Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, told commissioners the concept originated through conversations that began last fall with Prince George’s County and the Maryland Department of Transportation surrounding potential future uses of the corridor.
“This is just saying we’re on board with the exploration of potential options for this line through this study,” Tarjamo told commissioners. “This isn’t obligating us to buy or purchase the line or do anything else in the future without the Board of County Commission’s approval.”
About The Herbert Branch Corridor
According to county staff, the Herbert Branch rail line branches off the main CSX line near Brandywine and extends through southern Prince George’s County and eastern Charles County before continuing toward the Chalk Point area. The corridor spans about 20 miles, with more than nine miles located in Charles County north of Hughesville.
County planners said the proposal became especially attractive because of how closely the corridor aligns with trail projects already being pursued elsewhere in Southern Maryland.
How It Fits Into Regional Trail Plans
Charles County is already advancing work tied to future trail connections involving the Indian Head Rail Trail and Three Notch Trail corridor. The county’s support letter notes Charles is currently using Maryland Bikeways funding to design the initial phase of the Indian Head Rail Trail extension in St. Charles, with future phases intended to connect Hughesville to St. Mary’s County’s Three Notch Trail and locations in between.
The Maryland State Transportation Trails Strategic Plan continues to identify the Indian Head-to-Three Notch connection as a regional trail initiative moving through feasibility planning.
Planning Supervisor Joel Binkley told commissioners the Herbert Branch corridor coming within approximately three-quarters of a mile of the county’s future planned connection area near the College of Southern Maryland Hughesville Campus, creating what staff described as a potentially valuable regional link.
Binkley told commissioners the Herbert Branch corridor comes within approximately three-quarters of a mile of the county’s future planned connection area near the College of Southern Maryland Hughesville Campus.
“We would like to work with Prince George’s County on exploring how we could develop that trail in the future,” Binkley said, adding the concept could eventually create more than 75 miles of trail opportunities when combined with existing and planned Southern Maryland routes.
“It would definitely create a regional recreation and trail asset,” Binkley said.
SMRT Alignment Not Affected
Commissioners also questioned whether the proposal would interfere with future Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) planning.
Planning Director Jason Groff said the project would not impact the transit alignment.
“This does not affect the SMRT alignment,” Groff told commissioners, explaining the rail spur separates from the main corridor north of the proposed transit route and that current transit planning already follows a different alignment through Prince George’s County.
Groff said the opportunity could ultimately extend beyond Charles County.
“If this is able to be accomplished in terms of a recreational trail … this would be a massive trail system in Southern Maryland,” Groff said.
Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” O. Bowling III added that community outreach should remain part of the process as discussions continue.
“Just as we have the conversations, make sure we’re having some community meetings,” Bowling said, adding he would be willing to sponsor those discussions because portions of the concept involve the Hughesville area.
Commissioners approved the request, authorizing the support letter and proposed local match tied to the grant application.
About The Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program
Kim Lamphier was a tireless supporter for safe bicycle access across Maryland. Over the course of her career, Lamphier led efforts to increase bicycle infrastructure funding, update the Three Foot Law and eliminate Styrofoam from the state. In 2020, the Maryland General Assembly voted to rename the MDOT Bikeways Program in her honor.
Watch the full Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Board of County Commissioners meeting on CCGTV.
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