Over the next two years we'll be doing some fairly costly upgrades at this facility to improve access to the trail and to the water fountain. We'll be doing these improvements to bring this facility into compliance with requirements set by NC DOT to carry out the Federal American Disabilities Act (ADA). During 2017 we'll be putting in a van accessible cement parking space with an adjacent access aisle at the rear of the lot and putting in a connected cement area which will connect this parking aisle to our water fountain.
In 2018 we'll be constructing a new access trail to the ATT from the cement parking/fountain area. To do this we'll need to remove a number of trees, grind up and remove the stumps, grade and smooth the new surface to allow contract construction of a new four foot wide, 150 foot long cement connection to the trail. To allow smooth access to the ATT we'll be putting in an 18" diameter plastic culvert which will be covered over to the level of the trail.
We plan to do some portion of this work through volunteer efforts but construction of the new sidewalk will be done under contract. UPDATE: We took down about 10 trees on May 2nd. There is lots of pine firewood stacked there--FREE for the taking!
Efforts on the safety fencing, lights and drainage were completed in mid February and the bridge was opened to the public on February 19th. Since then bridge usage has been significant and was even seen as crowded at times this past weekend. Since the contractor still has a few minor items to complete on the trail (largely south of Massey Chapel Road) in the next couple of weeks, maintenance by Durham will probably not begin until late in March. A short Youtube video by ATT user Jon Parker shows some bridge views a few days after the opening.
Bruce Siceloff, who writes the Road Worrior column for the News & Observer, has put together a nice summary of the various problems and delays encountered in constructing the ATT's I-40 bicycle and pedestrian bridge http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/12/23/3482682/road-worrier-durhams-i-40... . The replacement components for the bridge are expected to be received soon. Durham still has not set a firm date for completion of the bridge beyond the late January date referred to by Marvin Williams in an early December letter to the Durham News.
View of the new section shortly after sphalt was put down on October 31st and a later view of the section after safety fencing was completed about November 22nd.