The way has been cleared to tear down the abandoned trolley trestle that spans the south end of Glover Archbold National Park.

In September 2020, the Mayor’s Agent for historic preservation in D.C. issued the demolition permit sought by WMATA, which oversees the trestle and right of way. Mayor’s Agent J. Peter Byrne, who in March 2019 held a four-hour hearing on the trestle’s fate, decided there was no clear prospect for reuse of the structure and noted WMATA’s testimony that its maintenance was a hardship.

But the timetable for any demolition is unclear. The National Park Service must first issue a permit for worker access to the site, with a review of environmental concerns part of the process.

NPS seeks to contact people interested in the future of the site to help determine how to proceed and how any vestige of the structure might be preserved. The trestle dates back to the late 1800s and carried trolley traffic between Georgetown and Glen Echo until about 60 years ago.

NPS, along with ANC 3D Commissioner J.P. Szymkowicz, appeared at Byrne’s hearing, siding with preserving the structure.

Some groups have pushed for restoring the dilapidated trestle for use as part of a bike and pedestrian trail along the Palisades. DC transportation department officials, in a Jan. 6, 2020 statement, said they reviewed the concept and decided they would “not seek to acquire ownership” of the span to be part of a trail, “based on cost, constructability, topography, and right-of-way impacts.”

Also unclear is what would happen to the rail right-of-way if the trestle is demolished. In his order, Mayor’s Agent Byrne said: “WMATA’s conveyance of these properties to the National Park Service would similarly serve to protect this area’s historic character.”

Meanwhile, the Glover Archbold trail opening, which passes under the trestle at the site beside Canal Road, has been shut since August 2016, with officials citing concern about falling bridge debris.