Difference between revisions of "American Tobacco Trail"
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[[category:Durham, NC]][[Earth]]: [[United States]]: [[North Carolina]]: {{instate|Durham|NC}}: [[American Tobacco Trail]] | [[category:Durham, NC]][[Earth]]: [[United States]]: [[North Carolina]]: {{instate|Durham|NC}}: [[American Tobacco Trail]] | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | The [[American Tobacco Trail]] (ATT) is a | + | 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]]. (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. Most of the quasi-official documents found thus far seem to consider the entire trail to be so-named, so we are going with that terminology for now.) |
| − | To reach the current "temporary end" of the trail 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 section of trail | + | The term "American Tobacco Trail" also often refers specifically to the ATT section south of Durham, which was the first completed section of the ATT. This is a converted former railroad right-of-way, currently running 6.5 miles from downtown [[Durham, NC]] almost to the intersection of Fayetteville Road and [[I-40]] (just across 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))'' |
| + | |||
| + | 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. This stretch runs around through the gated apartment community behind the shopping center and over to NC Highway 54, a busy road with 5+ lanes. (There is sidewalk along this stretch of 54 but no shade apparent anywhere near, so it doesn't exactly look inviting to explore. There is no traffic light at the western corner where there is less traffic, and no sidewalk on the opposite side.) | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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. | ||
| + | ==Sections== | ||
| + | ''going from north to south'' | ||
| + | * [[West Ellerbe Creek Greenway]] | ||
| + | ** '''Phase I''': north from Trinity Ave. through most of Watts-Hillandale, terminating near Guess Road | ||
| + | ** '''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. | ||
| + | * '''Downtown section''': south from Trinity Ave., through downtown Durham on sidewalks and back-streets, and connecting to the South Durham section | ||
| + | * '''South Durham section''' (a.k.a. the American Tobacco Trail): south from underneath the [[Durham Freeway]] (147) to just north of [[I-40]], plus additional to-be-connected segments south of that | ||
==Future Plans== | ==Future Plans== | ||
| − | The ATT is | + | 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: | ||
| Line 18: | Line 28: | ||
* [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 | ||
===Blogs & Commentary=== | ===Blogs & Commentary=== | ||
| + | ==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 | ||
===News=== | ===News=== | ||
| + | * '''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] | ||
* '''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] | ||
| + | ==Maps== | ||
| + | [[Image:2007-ATT-1.png|300px]] | ||
| + | [[Image:2007-ATT-2.png|295px]] | ||
Revision as of 15:57, 6 June 2007
Earth: United States: North Carolina: Durham: American Tobacco Trail
Overview
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. (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. Most of the quasi-official documents found thus far seem to consider the entire trail to be so-named, so we are going with that terminology for now.)
The term "American Tobacco Trail" also often refers specifically to the ATT section south of Durham, which was the first completed section of the ATT. This is a converted former railroad right-of-way, currently running 6.5 miles from downtown Durham, NC almost to the intersection of Fayetteville Road and I-40 (just across 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 and into 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. --Woozle 11:57, 6 June 2007 (EDT))
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. This stretch runs around through the gated apartment community behind the shopping center and over to NC Highway 54, a busy road with 5+ lanes. (There is sidewalk along this stretch of 54 but no shade apparent anywhere near, so it doesn't exactly look inviting to explore. There is no traffic light at the western corner where there is less traffic, and no sidewalk on the opposite side.)
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.
Sections
going from north to south
- West Ellerbe Creek Greenway
- Phase I: north from Trinity Ave. through most of Watts-Hillandale, terminating near Guess Road
- 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.
- Downtown section: south from Trinity Ave., through downtown Durham on sidewalks and back-streets, and connecting to the South Durham section
- South Durham section (a.k.a. the American Tobacco Trail): south from underneath the Durham Freeway (147) to just north of I-40, plus additional to-be-connected segments south of that
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:
- 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. --Woozle 17:16, 1 June 2007 (EDT)
- Tobacco Trail Bicycle Rentals: at Solite Park just off the ATT where it intersects with Fayetteville Road
Links
Reference
- Wikipedia
- official ATT page at the Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy web site
Blogs & Commentary
Links
- nicomachus.net ATT Archives: photos and text, with a few reader comments
News
- 2007-06-06 Act now: Help connect the North-South & W. Ellerbe Creek Greenways
- 2006-09-07 Catch up on rail-line trail
Maps
