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A Few Images From Our 2013 Ales Race
Below are links to seven images from Nancy Pierce, a Board Member of North Carolina Rail-Trails:
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Elkin & Alleghany Rail-Trail Making Great Progress
Over the past year the Elkin Valley Trail Association (EVTA) has held a number of fund raising and trail work day events. EVTA has gained many supporters and has pulled together funding for a footbridge to span Elkin Creek north of downtown Elkin. This will constitute a key part of Phase 1 for this rail-trail. Current plans call for this footbridge to be in place by the end of 2013. Phase 2 of this trail will extend past the Elkin Reservoir, connect with mountain bike loops near the Reservoir and finally connect with trails in Wilkes County that will ultimately connect with trails at Stone Mountain State Park. A late August article in the Elkin Tribune describes some recent activities on this trail. They have even written a book about the trail corridor. For more on the EVTA and upcoming events please see their website.
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Study to firm up plans for Charlotte Rail Trail
A $100,000 study will help determine the detailed plans for the proposed 3.3-mile Charlotte Rail Trail that would tie South End to uptown. The City and Mecklenburg County will each contribute $30,000, and Charlotte Center City Partners will cover the remaining $40,000. The plan for the “linear park,” which would run adjacent to the Lynx light-rail system, was announced by Center City Partners in April. For more on this very promising development please see the 8/26 Charlotte Observer article.
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Transportation Alternatives Program in Danger
Contact our Senators and ask them to vote NO on Senate Amendment 1742 to Senate Bill 1243. Trail money is hard to come by and this could be disastrous for trails. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is planning to offer an amendment – Senate Amendment 1742 -- to the Transportation Appropriations bill (Senate Bill 1243) to transfer all funding from the Transportation Alternatives Program to pay for bridge repairs instead. The Transportation Alternatives Program includes all the funding for the Recreational Trails Program, a vital trails program in NC. It doesn't take long...will you help? --See the link below
U.S. Senate Home Page: www.senate.gov
Late August Update: No action has been taken by the Senate on Senate Amendment 1742. On August 1st, just prior to Congress' Summer recess, a cloture motion on S. 1243 was rejected 54-43 (60 votes FOR were required) so S.1243 is still alive and more debate is allowed before a vote is taken on this Bill. The Senate recovenes on September 9th.
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South Fork Trail Added to Our Trails Listing
We've obtained some new images and information about the South Fork Trail, a very picturesque component of the Thread Trail system located in Lincoln County. The South Fork Rail Trail is a combination of natural surface and crushed gravel trail providing nice terraced views of the South Fork of the Catawba River. The trail begins directly to the left of the parking lot access off of Laboratory Road in Lincolnton and extends for approximately 0.8 miles of flat hiking. See our map to locate this trail and our new profile of South Fork for a description and images of this trail and parking information.
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Kings Mountain Trail Added to Our Trails Listing
The Kings Mountain Gateway Trail Inc. opened in November 2009. The Trail is owned by Cleveland County and is managed by the Kings Mountain Gateway Trails Board and Committee. It is part of the Carolina Thread Trail system and a part of the North Carolina Rail Trail system. There are 4 different trails all joining together; the Cardio, the Plateau, the Rail Trail, and the Foote Trail; about 5 ½ miles total. About 2 more miles will be added in 2013 and 2014. Approximately 10,000 to 12,000 people use the trail per month. For more on this diverse, urban trail see our profile of the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail.
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Arch for ATT Bridge Over I-40 Installed But Completion Schedule Delayed
Completion of the final phase of the American Tobacco Trail is proceeding. The initial portion of the bike/ped bridge which will span I-40 was put in place on April 27-28. Traffic on I-40 was detoured for about 8 hours to allow this work. A short video shows key actions of the arch installation. July 8th Update: Work on the balance of the structure is continuing but has fallen behind earlier schedules for completion. In addition, design of the short trail section running alongside Massey Chapel Road has had to be revised and will not be completed until late September. As a result, Durham now estimates that the bridge should be completed by mid to late August and the grand opening for this final phase has been re-scheduled to October 12th. Opening ceremonies will be held from 9-11am at a parking area on Renaissance Parkway adjacent to SouthPoint Mall. See area map at: https://www.triangletrails.org/pdfs/SetUpMap.pdf . Once the trail is fully open (now estimated to be late September) users will be able to go from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in downtown Durham to the trail's southern terminus in Wake County just south of US 64, a distance of ~22.5 miles.
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Bike Ped Funding at Risk in NC
The NC Senate’s proposed transportation budget eliminates $1.2 million in state matching funds for bike/ped programs resulting in a loss of $4.5 million in federal funds - Total impact of $5.7 million. Although the Senate budget proposal includes language that gives local governments the flexibility to use their Powell Bill funds (generally used only for local road maintenance) as match, under the new Strategic Mobility Formula, Divisions will actually see less Powell Bill funds and therefore are unlikely to use these funds for bike/ped projects when their roadway needs will be far greater. Action Needed: Restore the $1.2 million in state matching funds to enable the most advantageous federal match and more beneficial use of the state funding.
Rail trails and many greenways in North Carolina have benefitted from Bike/Ped funding over the years. The current legislative session will be ending later in June and votes on these budget issues will be coming up soon. If you would like to contact your State representative(s) please use the link below to find out who represents you: https://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx
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Survey for Participants of 2012 Ales for Rail-Trails 5K Race
We're about to start planning for the third Annual Ales for Rail-Trails 5K Race in October. To help us improve this year's event, we have developed a short survey to gather information on your reactions to the event including both pre-race and post-race activities and how you found about our event. If you participated in the 2012 Race, please take a few minutes to complete this short survey . We look forward to seeing you in the 2013 Ales for Rail Trails 5K in the Fall!
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Spring 2013 Newsletter Available On-line
It's Spring and folks will be getting out to use rail-trails more and more. Our Spring Newsletter has an update on upcoming surface and signage upgrades at the Thermal Belt Rail-Trail in Rutherford County, some news on progress on bridges for the Elkins & Allegheny Rail-Trail, plans for connnecting the Dunn-Erwin Rail-Trail to the River Park Trail and notes on the upcoming completion of the final section of the American Tobacco Trail. Members who have requested hard copies should receive them in early April.
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