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Board hears McAdams presentation of comprehensive trails and greenways master plan; adoption considered in January
Summary
McAdams and county staff presented a countywide trails and greenways master plan developed with public outreach; the plan includes 12 priority projects, public-use goals and estimated future-year construction costs, and the board agreed to consider adoption on Jan. 5 after additional review.
County parks staff and consultants from McAdams presented a comprehensive trails and greenways master plan developed over the past year with substantial public engagement.
The project team said they received 656 survey participants and roughly 12,000 survey responses and more than 1,000 individual comments that informed recommendations. The plan sets goals to enhance mobility, public health, and economic development by connecting parks, downtowns and destinations; it identifies 12 priority projects with recommended sequencing and intersection/treatment options. Presenters described examples of priority corridors (e.g., routes connecting Selma Elementary, Pine Level, Princeton and Archer’s Lodge) and design guidance for crossing major barriers such as Interstate 95 and Interstate 40.
Cost estimates presented reflect future-year dollars tied to assumed construction years (earlier priority projects assumed in the mid-2030s; later projects assumed through 2050). A commissioner’s quick sum of the priority projects produced an estimated total of approximately $410,000,000 spread across decades; presenters emphasized the plan is a master plan (not a design) and that cost figures do not include land acquisition or easement costs.
Board and staff discussed funding pathways, NCDOT coordination for projects tied to STIP work, developer guidance included in the plan, and the need to pursue grants and RPO/MPO prioritization. Parks staff requested the board consider adoption; commissioners agreed to take the plan under advisement and consider adoption at the Jan. 5 meeting and to coordinate with towns for concurrent adoption where possible.
Key quote from McAdams: "We wanted to create a safe, connected, and community-supported active transportation network of greenway and trail facilities throughout Johnston County."
