Durham residents can help shape a multi-use greenway that would connect downtown Durham to Roxboro. The proposed Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail would convert about 18 miles of inactive rail in Durham County into a continuous path that ultimately links into a 26-mile network reaching Person County. The project team is gathering public input now while design concepts are in development.
Background and partners
The corridor has been inactive since the 1980s. After several attempts dating back to 1991 to purchase the line from Norfolk Southern, local partners now have momentum to secure the right of way. The planning effort is a collaboration between Durham County, the Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization, City of Durham Parks and Recreation, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the East Coast Greenway Alliance. Project overview | Recent public-input coverage
Funding boost for land acquisition
On July 31, North Carolina announced nearly 11 million dollars in Piedmont awards from the Great Trails State Program. Durham County received 500,000 dollars specifically for land acquisition on the Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail corridor. The City of Durham also received 500,000 dollars for American Tobacco Trail maintenance, and Triangle Land Conservancy received funding for the Old Creedmoor Trail System. Governor’s announcement
Have your say
Design drafts show a path extending from downtown toward Braggtown and historic Stagville, then on to Bahama and Rougemont. The corridor would intersect with existing and future routes including the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Ellerbe Creek Trail, and East Coast Greenway segments. Route concepts
- Public workshop: August 27, 6 p.m., Edison Johnson Recreation Center
- Public workshop: August 28, 6 p.m., Spruce Pine Lodge
- Online survey: durham2roxborotrailplan.com
Why this matters
The rail trail would connect neighborhoods north of I-85 to downtown, improve car-free access to jobs and services, and add safe recreation space. It also ties Durham into a regional spine of greenways that supports health, tourism, and local business activity along the route. Community context
At a glance
Item | Details |
---|---|
Scope | 18 miles of rail-to-trail in Durham County, part of a 26-mile network connecting to Roxboro. Project site |
Funding | 500,000 dollars for corridor acquisition, within nearly 11 million dollars in regional trail awards. State grant |
Key connections | Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Ellerbe Creek Trail, East Coast Greenway links. Coverage |
Status | Design phase with public input underway. Land acquisition process initiated. Get involved |
Share your vision. The Bull City Citizen will keep covering milestones, funding, and construction timelines. Send tips, photos, and questions from workshops so we can include your voice in our next update.