Selected Durham News--2000-2002
News from 2002
On March 4th, 2002 the Durham City Council formally approved a 10 year lease with NCDOT for management of the ATT corridor from south of NC 54 to Northeast Creek after lengthy negotiations over terms. Durham will now be able to seek external resources for this section in southern Durham and take a more active role with TRTC in development. Grading, paving and the installation of signs and access bollards for Phases C & D (from near Cornwallis Rd. south to NC 54 and the Riddle Rd. spur) was completed in September 2002 under a single contract awarded in September 2001. The first section runs between Hillside High School and the Southpoint Crossings Shopping Center at NC 54 (3.0 miles) and the second (1.5 miles) runs between Hillside and Briggs Avenue (Riddle Road Spur). Together they will bring the ATT and Riddle Spur to a total of 7.7 miles.
Ribbon-cutting and a general celebration to open these trail sections was held on September 28, 2002. See our PHOTOS section for pictures.
City/County staff are working with their sign contractor on the design for kiosks, mile markers and other signage for the ATT. Mile markers will look a lot like the original RR markers and have the ATT logo on them. Other signage will be similar to that found on Durham's North-South Greenway.
News from 2000
As reported previously: Sanford Contractors, Inc. began work on Phases A & B in May 1999. 1999 work included the removal of fallen trees and 6 old RR bridges, grading of this 3+ mile section to prepare it for asphalt paving (10' in width) in 2000, and installation of new steel bridges at 6 intersections. From January until mid-March 2000, grading and other activities were continued on a limited basis. Asphalt paving began in late March and the first 3.2 miles was completed at the end of May 2000. A picture of Bill
Bussey "inspecting" part of the first mile in early April can be viewed in
the PHOTOS section--check it out!!!
The formal opening of Phases A & B was held on National Trails Day--June 3, 2000. Activities included a bike ride and a 3.2 mile hike from Hillside High School to the northern end of the ATT. After these activities, opening ceremonies and a ribbon cutting were held at the north end of the trail near the DBAP. Please see our expanding PHOTOS section for pictures of the first ATT walkers, the Durham Community Band and speakers at the opening ceremonies.
Please see the section on the Annual 1999 Meeting for other details on the construction and plans for trail heads.
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