Council hears Triangle Bikeway presentation; members press for clearer cost sharing and maintenance plans

Transportation Project Manager Brett Martin told the council the Triangle Bikeway is a regionally serving, shared‑use facility that largely follows the I‑40 right of way and connects municipalities between Chapel Hill and West Raleigh. He said Morrisville has limited direct alignment through its center and needs stronger local connections so residents can use and benefit from the regional facility. (Brett Martin)

Councilmembers pressed staff on likely local financial exposure and on who will govern and maintain the bikeway once built. When asked for cost estimates, Brett Martin described a regional total cost projection that ‘‘could fall in that range’’ of about $98,000,000 to a little over $120,000,000 for the whole alignment; he said cost estimates depend on refined alignments and are not yet finalized. (Brett Martin)

Members expressed concern about last‑minute funding requests and emphasized the need to negotiate cost‑share terms and maintenance responsibilities early. "We don't want to be on the hook if there's some type of proration... that puts us on the hook to pay more money than we otherwise would," a councilmember said, urging staff to press partners for clarity. Staff also noted state DOT had expressed interest in potentially delivering portions of the project, but DOT asked the town to first define maintenance responsibilities before committing to delivery. (Councilmember Kesseling; Brett Martin)

What happens next: town staff will include updated alignment and cost information in the comprehensive transportation plan update and report back to council in the coming weeks; councilmembers requested clearer cost‑share options and maintenance governance prior to committing to local funding or grant applications.