Meeting Excerpt: Durham County Maps Bike-Walk Update

The Durham County Board of Commissioners hears how the Bike and Walk Plan update elevates five county corridor projects, from Forest View Elementary connections to the Falls Lake I‑85 overhaul. Commissioners also weigh fragmented sidewalk maintenance, “orphan” segments, and what a county-run program would cost. 7mins

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Original Meeting

Monday, February 2nd, 2026
11404.752
Board of County Commissioners on 2026-02-02 9:00 AM - Work Session
Full Meeting on Granicus
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Bike Durham Advocacy, Old West Durham, Duke
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In This Video
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper introduced the Durham County transportation team and explained that the update would focus on county priority corridor projects and key policy recommendations from the plan.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper noted that this was an update to the 2017 Bike Walk Plan and the first time Durham County had participated in the planning effort.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper outlined near-, mid-, and long-term biking and walking network improvements, highlighting dozens of corridor, intersection, micro-gap, and greenway projects aimed at closing gaps and improving safety over roughly five-, fifteen-, and longer-year timeframes.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper described the first of five county priority projects, a sidewalk effort on Irwin Road and Randolph Road to close gaps and connect nearby neighborhoods to Forest View Elementary School.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper outlined the second county priority corridor project, a Mineral Springs roadside path and Freeman Road sidewalk effort that was recommended by transit staff to support a future bus stop and crossing at the Mineral Springs–Freeman intersection.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper described the NC 98 Oak Grove side path and sidewalk project as a major priority that, in full buildout from Lynn Road to Woodland Drive, would link nearby shopping centers, neighborhoods, two schools, and the East Regional Durham County Library.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper described the Scott King roadside path project as a connector linking Lyons Farm Elementary School and nearby neighborhoods to the American Tobacco Trail and Herndon Park.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper outlined the fifth and final priority project, describing the planned I-85 bridge replacement over Falls Lake as an opportunity to add bike and pedestrian facilities that would tie into East Geer Street, Redwood Road, and nearby regional trails and campsites.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper began the policy portion of the Bike and Walk Plan update by highlighting fragmented sidewalk maintenance responsibilities in Durham and noting how state law and NCDOT practices affected who maintained sidewalks in city and county areas.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper explained that about six miles of “orphan” sidewalks outside city limits lacked any maintenance agency, warning that neglect could create unsafe conditions like those near Forest View Elementary School.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper introduced a second county policy update on Durham County's role in regional greenway planning, recommending adoption of a countywide greenway plan, formalized agreements with municipalities, and phased project implementation based on input and feasibility.
  • Commissioner Burton asked how costs and staffing responsibilities would work if Durham County created a county-only sidewalk maintenance program.
  • Transportation planner Brooke Roper explained that Durham County would need to define a new role for countywide sidewalk maintenance and estimated that maintaining roughly 2.5 miles of currently orphaned sidewalks in the county would cost about $12,000 to $31,000 per year.
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