June 2013

Arch for ATT Bridge Over I-40 Installed But Completion Schedule Delayed

Submitted by curt on June 6, 2013

Completion of the final phase of the American Tobacco Trail is proceeding. The initial portion of the bike/ped bridge which will span I-40 was put in place on April 27-28. Traffic on I-40 was detoured for about 8 hours to allow this work.  A short video shows key actions of the arch installation. July 8th Update:  Work on the balance of the structure is continuing but has fallen behind earlier schedules for completion. In addition, design of the short trail section running alongside Massey Chapel Road has had to be revised and will not be completed until late September. As a result, Durham now estimates that the bridge should be completed by mid to late August and the grand opening for this final phase has been re-scheduled to October 12th. Opening ceremonies will be held from 9-11am at a parking area on Renaissance Parkway adjacent to SouthPoint Mall. See area map at: https://www.triangletrails.org/pdfs/SetUpMap.pdf . Once the trail is fully open (now estimated to be late September) users will be able to go from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in downtown Durham to the trail's southern terminus in Wake County just south of US 64, a distance of ~22.5 miles.

Bike Ped Funding at Risk in NC

Submitted by curt on June 4, 2013

The NC Senate’s proposed transportation budget eliminates $1.2 million in state matching funds for bike/ped programs resulting in a loss of $4.5 million in federal funds - Total impact of $5.7 million. Although the Senate budget proposal includes language that gives local governments the flexibility to use their Powell Bill funds (generally used only for local road maintenance) as match, under the new Strategic Mobility Formula, Divisions will actually see less Powell Bill funds and therefore are unlikely to use these funds for bike/ped projects when their roadway needs will be far greater. Action Needed: Restore the $1.2 million in state matching funds to enable the most advantageous federal match and more beneficial use of the state funding.

Rail trails and many greenways in North Carolina have benefitted from Bike/Ped funding over the years. The current legislative session will be ending later in June and votes on these budget issues will be coming up soon. If you would like to contact your State representative(s) please use the link below to find out who represents you:  https://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx