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Plan to convert 18-mile Durham rail corridor into 26-mile Durham–Roxboro trail presented to commissioners
Summary
A plan to convert an 18-mile inactive rail corridor in Durham County into a multi-use trail linking downtown Durham to Roxboro (26 miles when combined with Person County segments) was presented; staff said a preliminary budget and draft funding agreement will be prepared ahead of NCDOT acquisition steps.
County staff and consultants presented the Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail Plan, which would convert an 18-mile inactive rail corridor inside Durham County into a multi-use trail for recreation, transportation and economic development and, when paired with about 8 miles in Person County, create a continuous 26-mile link to Roxboro.
Caroline Stahlschmidt, Senior Project Manager with Destination by Design, said the planning process included an existing-conditions study, stakeholder engagement, design alternatives and funding analysis. She told the Board that a detailed preliminary budget and more granular asset maps (showing schools, greenways and trailheads) will appear in the final plan and that staff was coordinating with the N.C. Department of Transportation on acquisition timing scheduled for mid-November.
Ellen Beckmann, Transportation Director, said staff expects a draft funding agreement will be reviewed before the plan returns to the Board for adoption and that the County is pursuing two grants through the State Park Department to support implementation.
No formal action was taken; staff will bring a funding agreement and final plan materials back to the Board for consideration.
