Difference between revisions of "American Tobacco Trail"

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(→‎Overview: moved more description down to South Durham section)
(→‎Sections: pedestrian bridge is now complete)
 
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<hide>
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[[page type::article]]
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[[thing type::trail]]
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[[town::US/NC/Durham]]
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[[category:US/NC/Durham/trails]]
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</hide>
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[[File:2008-08-19 ATT 100 4221.web.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The [[American Tobacco Trail]] facing north near [[US/NC/Durham/roads/Fayetteville|Fayetteville Road]]]]__TOC__
 
==Navigation==
 
==Navigation==
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[[category:Durham, NC]][[Earth]]: [[United States]]: [[North Carolina]]: {{instate|Durham|NC}}: [[American Tobacco Trail]]
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[[Earth]]: [[United States]]: [[North Carolina]]: {{instate|Durham|NC}}: [[American Tobacco Trail]]
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==Overview==
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===Connections===
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The [[American Tobacco Trail]] (ATT) is a series of connected bike-and-pedestrian pathways running north-south through [[Durham, NC]] and forming an essential part of the planned [[East Coast Greenway]]. The term "American Tobacco Trail" also often refers specifically to the [[#South Durham]] section, which was the first completed stretch of the ATT.
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* '''North''': through [[/downtown|downtown Durham]] to [[South Ellerbee Creek Trail]]
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==Nomenclature==
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* '''South''': currently ends about half(?) a mile north of the north end of the [[New Hope Valley Railway]]
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There seems to be some disagreement as to whether "American Tobacco Trail" refers to the entire planned 22 miles of north-south trail in the area, or just the section south of Durham ("South Durham section"). Most of the quasi-official documents found thus far seem to consider this the name of the entire trail, so we are going with that convention for now.
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===Sections===
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==Sections==
 
 
''going from north to south''
 
''going from north to south''
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* [[West Ellerbe Creek Greenway]]
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* '''[[/downtown|Downtown section]]''': south from Trinity Ave., through downtown Durham on sidewalks and back-streets, and connecting to the South Durham section
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** '''Phase I''': north from Trinity Ave. through most of Watts-Hillandale, terminating near Guess Road
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* '''[[/south Durham|south Durham]]''' (6.5+ miles): south from underneath the [[Durham Freeway]] ([[NC-147]]) bridge to just north of [[I-40]]
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** '''Phase II''' (to be completed): from Westover Park (between Guess Road and Maryland Ave.), under [[I-85]] (tunnel already built), and on up to Stadium Drive.
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* '''[[/I-40|I-40]]''': pedestrian bridge now complete!
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* '''Downtown section''': south from Trinity Ave., through downtown Durham on sidewalks and back-streets, and connecting to the South Durham section
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* '''[[/south of I-40|south of I-40]]''': south from Massey Chapel Road
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* '''South Durham section''' (6.5+ miles, plus additional sections) (a.k.a. the American Tobacco Trail): south from underneath the [[Durham Freeway]] (147) to just north of [[I-40]] where Fayetteville Road crosses over, plus additional to-be-connected segments south of that. See [[#South Durham]] for more.
 
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===South Durham===
 
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This is a converted former railroad right-of-way, with a "temporary end" just across NC-54 and I-40 from [[Southpoint Mall]]). Plans are underway to build a bike/pedestrian bridge over I-40 to connect this stretch of trail with another part of the trail which currently continues unpaved(?) for 3 more miles through the northeast corner of [[Chatham County, NC|Chatham County]] and into [[Wake County, NC|Wake County]]; significantly more mileage is under construction. At present, you have to merge with the Fayetteville Road traffic (busy and very suburban-shopping-center-oriented) to cross the automobile bridge over I-40. ''(It is not clear whether there is even as much as a sidewalk or bike lane over the bridge; I haven't yet braved the traffic to go look. --[[User:Woozle|Woozle]] 11:57, 6 June 2007 (EDT))''
 
  
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To reach the current "temporary end" of the trail 6.5 miles south of Durham, you have to turn right several yards short of the end of the straight-ahead part of the trail (which mainly goes to the small ATT parking area at the shopping center entrance) to get to the final section of trail. The turn is not clearly marked as being the official continuation of the Trail, unless you look closely at the signpost (which is on the left, opposite the turnoff) and notice the little arrow pointing to the right.
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==About==
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The [[American Tobacco Trail]] (ATT) is bike-and-pedestrian pathway running from the south edge of downtown [[Durham, NC]] and forming an essential part of the planned [[East Coast Greenway]].
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This (currently final) stretch runs around through [[Southpoint Crossing]], a gated community and shopping center (the trail runs behind the shopping center with a hill separating it from vehicular traffic) and over to NC Highway 54, a busy road with 5+ lanes. There is sidewalk along this stretch of 54 but there is no shade apparent, so it doesn't exactly look inviting to explore except possibly early or late in the day. There is no traffic light at the western corner where there is less traffic, and no sidewalk on the opposite side.
 
  
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* [[:Category:US/NC/Durham/ATT|ATT Category]]: images of the ATT
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==Nomenclature==
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There seems to be some disagreement as to whether "American Tobacco Trail" refers to the entire planned 22 miles of north-south trail in the area, or just the section south of Durham (referred to as the "South Durham section" of the ATT, when ATT is presumed to mean the whole thing). HTYP prefers to designate the "American Tobacco Trail" as referring only to the section of trail south of Durham, as this matches signage on the trail as well as most maps.
 
==Future Plans==
 
==Future Plans==
 
The ATT is an essential part of the [[East Coast Greenway]], a connected series of bike/pedestrian paths which will eventually the entire length of the United States east coast from [[Maine]] to [[Florida]]. "East Coast Greenway" signage is already in place along the South Durham section and possibly other completed portions of the ATT.
 
The ATT is an essential part of the [[East Coast Greenway]], a connected series of bike/pedestrian paths which will eventually the entire length of the United States east coast from [[Maine]] to [[Florida]]. "East Coast Greenway" signage is already in place along the South Durham section and possibly other completed portions of the ATT.
 
==Businesses==
 
==Businesses==
 
Useful businesses located near the trail:
 
Useful businesses located near the trail:
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* [http://www.eastcoastchinesefood.com/ East Coast Chinese Food]: inexpensive family-run Chinese food made to order, located (of all places) inside the Kroger in the shopping center at the end of the ATT. Very good, especially for the budget-minded. Lunch specials are cash-only, but there is an ATM about 20 feet away. They are informal and don't seem to have any problem serving sweaty, greasy bikers hot off the trail. Downside: the shopping center, despite their location right next to the ATT, does not seem to have a bike rack. We chained our bikes to the same chain used to secure a shaded picnic table outside Kroger, where they were kept under passive/unofficial observation by Kroger employees on break or waiting for their rides. --[[User:Woozle|Woozle]] 17:16, 1 June 2007 (EDT)
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* [[Southpoint Crossing]] is a small shopping center (which now has a bike rack over near the Quizno's) located where the ATT currently ends on the north side of I-40:
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* [http://www.ttbikes.com/ Tobacco Trail Bicycle Rentals]: at [[Solite Park]] just off the ATT where it intersects with Fayetteville Road
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** [http://www.eastcoastchinesefood.com/ East Coast Chinese Food]: inexpensive family-run Chinese food made to order, located (of all places) inside the Kroger. Very good, especially for the budget-minded. Lunch specials are cash-only, but there is an ATM about 20 feet away. They are informal and don't seem to have any problem serving sweaty, greasy bikers hot off the trail.
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** Quizno's
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* <s>[http://www.ttbikes.com/ Tobacco Trail Bicycle Rentals]: at [[Solite Park]] just off the ATT where it intersects with Fayetteville Road</s> gone
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
 
===Reference===
 
===Reference===
 
* {{wikipedia}}
 
* {{wikipedia}}
 
* [http://www.triangletrails.org/ATT.HTM official ATT page] at the [[Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy]] web site
 
* [http://www.triangletrails.org/ATT.HTM official ATT page] at the [[Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy]] web site
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===Blogs & Commentary===
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* [http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/works/project_am_tob_trail.cfm American Tobacco Trail Project - Phase E Pedestrian Bridge Over I-40]: "This project includes the completion of the American Tobacco Trail from NC 54 to the Chatham County Line and will include a bridge across I-40 west of the [[I-40]]/[[US/NC/Durham/roads/Fayetteville|Fayetteville Road]] interchange. The trail will be paved and will include several signals at roadway crossings along the route."
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==Links==
 
 
* [http://www.nicomachus.net/bikes/att/ nicomachus.net ATT Archives]: photos and text, with a few reader comments
 
* [http://www.nicomachus.net/bikes/att/ nicomachus.net ATT Archives]: photos and text, with a few reader comments
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===News===
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===to file===
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* '''2007-06-06''' [http://www.bullcityrising.com/2007/06/act_now_help_co.html Act now: Help connect the North-South & W. Ellerbe Creek Greenways]
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* '''2014-03-26''' [http://wunc.org/post/how-dangerous-american-tobacco-trail-really How Dangerous Is The American Tobacco Trail, Really?]
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* '''2008-07-29''' [http://blogs.newsobserver.com/joemiller/east-coast-greenway-decides-on-triangle-route East Coast Greenway decides on Triangle route]
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* '''2008-04-28''' [http://www.bullcityrising.com/2008/04/american-tobacc.html American Tobacco Trail design update set for Tuesday night]
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* '''2007-08-03''':
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** [http://www.newsobserver.com/print/friday/wup/story/658346.html The American Tobacco Trail]: "Where it is and where it's going"
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** [http://www.newsobserver.com/print/friday/wup/story/658345.html A week of ATT]: "To celebrate the publication of our ATT map, we've featured the American Tobacco Trail daily in the pages of The News & Observer or on the [http://blogs.newsobserver.com/joemiller) Get Out! Get Fit! blog] this week."
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* '''2007-08-02''':
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** [http://www.newsobserver.com/707/story/657240.html Find what you need on ATT]
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** [http://www.newsobserver.com/707/story/657267.html Spine of the greenway]: "The American Tobacco Trail is on its way to connecting the Triangle"
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** [http://www.newsobserver.com/707/story/657194.html American Tobacco Trail]: brief article with photo essay
 
* '''2006-09-07''' [http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/483365.html Catch up on rail-line trail]
 
* '''2006-09-07''' [http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/483365.html Catch up on rail-line trail]
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==Maps==
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* '''2006-09-06''' [http://www.newsobserver.com/news/durham/story/483095.html Durham bridge will be removed]: it has apparently been decided to remove the "crumbling, unsafe" Apex Street bridge (closed to automobile traffic in 2001 because of safety concerns) over the ATT and replace it with a pedestrian ramp down the eastern side, thus giving the residents of "historically black, low-income" St. Theresa's neighborhood easier foot-access to both the trail and [[Forest Hills Park]]. (The bridge is on the ATT stretch between Enterprise and Otis streets.)
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[[Image:2007-ATT-1.png|300px]]
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* '''2004-02-20''' [http://www.newsobserver.com/lifestyles/tio/story/406690.html It's not easy getting green]: greenway systems in {{instate|Cary|NC}} and {{instate|Chapel Hill|NC}}, and their plans for eventual hook-up with the ATT
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[[Image:2007-ATT-2.png|295px]]
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===Photos===
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* [http://picasaweb.google.com/bullcitybiker/ATTCrossings?feat=embedwebsite# ATT Crossings]: visibility issues where roads cross the ATT

Latest revision as of 18:51, 10 April 2014

The American Tobacco Trail facing north near Fayetteville Road

Navigation

Earth: United States: North Carolina: Durham: American Tobacco Trail

Connections

Sections

going from north to south

About

The American Tobacco Trail (ATT) is bike-and-pedestrian pathway running from the south edge of downtown Durham, NC and forming an essential part of the planned East Coast Greenway.

Nomenclature

There seems to be some disagreement as to whether "American Tobacco Trail" refers to the entire planned 22 miles of north-south trail in the area, or just the section south of Durham (referred to as the "South Durham section" of the ATT, when ATT is presumed to mean the whole thing). HTYP prefers to designate the "American Tobacco Trail" as referring only to the section of trail south of Durham, as this matches signage on the trail as well as most maps.

Future Plans

The ATT is an essential part of the East Coast Greenway, a connected series of bike/pedestrian paths which will eventually the entire length of the United States east coast from Maine to Florida. "East Coast Greenway" signage is already in place along the South Durham section and possibly other completed portions of the ATT.

Businesses

Useful businesses located near the trail:

  • Southpoint Crossing is a small shopping center (which now has a bike rack over near the Quizno's) located where the ATT currently ends on the north side of I-40:
    • East Coast Chinese Food: inexpensive family-run Chinese food made to order, located (of all places) inside the Kroger. Very good, especially for the budget-minded. Lunch specials are cash-only, but there is an ATM about 20 feet away. They are informal and don't seem to have any problem serving sweaty, greasy bikers hot off the trail.
    • Quizno's
  • Tobacco Trail Bicycle Rentals: at Solite Park just off the ATT where it intersects with Fayetteville Road gone

Links

Reference

to file

Photos

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