The Broadneck Peninsula Trail—a 6.6-mile trail that will link Sandy Point State Park to the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail in Arnold, is scheduled to break ground on Thursday.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, and is open to the public.

Phase 1 of the project includes the construction of a trail along College Parkway from Green Holly Drive to Cape St. Claire Road and the Walnut Ridge community. 

The full scope of the trail will utilize right-of-way property along College Parkway and provide access to Anne Arundel Community College, local elementary and middle schools, Broadneck High, Broadneck Library and several community parks.

The landmark public trail, which will also benefit area bikers, has been in the planning stages since 2000. Only recently was funding slated for approval, after Peak Inc. was contracted for the work under a $944,000 bid.

Ken Alban, the capital projects manager for Anne Arundel County’s Recreations and Parks Department, said it was exciting to see the project finally moving forward.

“The ultimate goal is to make a connection to Route 2, and if we could get across Route 2, the B&A Trail in some fashion,” Alban said. “But that’s way down the road. This part has been in the books for a while and it’s exciting to finally see some funding flow into it.”

Elizabeth Rosborg, president of the Arnold Preservation Council, said this was a great first step in a longer project.

"This has been a long time in coming," Rosborg said. "The next big thing is to tie it to the other section of the trail, but that's a much larger step."

Ultimately, the trail will become a component of the American Discovery Trail.

“But that’s really way out there,” Alban said.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be along College Parkway across from the eastern entrance to Broadneck Park. Parking for the event will be at the park, with a shuttle ferrying attendees to the event. For more information, contact the county's Parks and Recreations Department at 410-222-7867.

Other details of the plan, according to specifications listed on the bid document:

• A 10-foot wide, paved trail along College Parkway, from Green Holly Drive to East College Parkway
• A series of 8-foot wide paved spurs to Broadneck Library and Cape St. Claire Road to Walnut Ridge Drive
• Crosswalks
• Ramps
• Curbing
• Signal modifications
• Signage and markings
• Curb walls with hand rails
• Fencing
• Guardrails

The cost range for the project was set at $1 million to $1.5 million. Ten bids were received, ranging from $885,000 to $1.4 million. Peak Inc. was the second lowest bidder at $944,200.