Durham County Commissioners Back Durham–Roxboro Rail Corridor Purchase and Hear About a New RTP Greenway Vision

The board advanced acquisition of the 26‑mile rail corridor with state partners covering 80% of costs and grants dropping the county’s share to about $223,000. Staff addressed safety and property concerns, highlighted strong public support, and noted a long timeline ahead with hundreds of adjacent owners to coordinate; an RTP 3.0 update also introduced a signature park greenway concept. 10mins

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Original Meeting

Monday, November 3rd, 2025
21265.345
Board of County Commissioners on 2025-11-03 9:00 AM - Work Session - Nov 03, 2025
Full Meeting on Granicus
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Bike Durham Advocacy, Old West Durham, Duke
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In This Video
  • Chair Allam announced that the meeting format was adjusted to handle consent agenda items carried over due to a lack of quorum at the previous session.
  • Dave Connelly urged commissioners to approve acquiring the Norfolk Southern rail corridor, highlighting the trail’s long-sought benefits for recreation, transportation, conservation, public health, and regional connectivity.
  • Dave Connelly, speaking as a member of the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission, urged support for acquiring and developing the rail corridor while noting residents’ concerns and stating that design and operations can address safety, environmental, privacy, and maintenance issues.
  • Gregory Williams, speaking for Bike Durham, supported county funding for the Durham Roxboro Rail Trail by comparing its potential to the American Tobacco Trail’s proven community benefits.
  • Chair Allam stated that rules would be suspended to authorize their signature on a Great Trails State Grant agreement to accept $500,000 from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
  • Chair Allam moved for Board approval of a budget ordinance amendment, a capital project amendment, and a TIP agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to acquire the Durham–Roxboro rail corridor.
  • Durham County’s Transportation Director summarized prior presentations and explained that state and regional approvals would cover 80% of acquisition costs, local governments would provide 20%, and recent grants reduced the county’s net share to about $223,000.
  • Durham County’s Transportation Director highlighted that the rail corridor had been in adopted plans since the 1980s and emphasized a unique, current opportunity to secure a 26‑mile continuous corridor from a willing owner, simplifying future transportation development.
  • Durham County’s Transportation Director addressed safety concerns by citing studies showing trails do not induce crime and noted benefits like natural surveillance, community ownership, and activation of neglected spaces.
  • Durham County’s Transportation Director reported survey results showing roughly 70–80% support for the project and clarified that the corridor would be purchased in fee simple without eminent domain.
  • An NCDOT representative expressed full support for acquiring the 26.1‑mile corridor in fee simple, emphasizing its transformative value and the risk of losing it to parcel sales.
  • Commissioner Jacobs cited data from the American Tobacco Trail showing lower crime within a half-mile of the trail, arguing that trails reduced crime even in higher-crime areas.
  • Chair Allam emphasized that the county’s local share was about $223,000 for the rail corridor project and noted that completion would take many years.
  • An NCDOT representative noted that approximately 450 adjacent property owners lined the 26‑mile corridor and would need to be coordinated with individually before clearing and construction began.
  • Robin Schultz introduced a presentation on the RTP 3.0 plan as a principal planner and arborist with the Durham City-County Planning and Development Department.
  • Travis Creighton described the RTP 3.0 vision developed with park companies, highlighting a planned signature park greenway to enhance connectivity, link mixed-use centers, and expand recreational opportunities.
  • Travis Creighton explained that planning for mixed‑use nodes led to a signature greenway concept to improve connectivity and amenities beyond existing roadside trails, with positive feedback from park companies and inclusion in the land use vision.
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