About TRTC
Founded in 1989, the Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy (TRTC) a state chartered, non-profit organization that accomplishes much of it’s work through volunteer efforts. Its purpose is to work with local and state government officials to preserve local abandoned railroad corridors for future transportation and other interim uses such as recreational trails. Since 1998, TRTC volunteers have put in over 8,800 hours in cleaning up, resurfacing and maintaining the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) in Durham, Chatham and Wake Counties.
Our current focus is supporting safety and signage improvements for the American Tobacco Trail, arranging volunteer projects and providing feedback to local trail managers on problems or proposed changes.
ATT Trail Maps
American Tobacco Trail
(Durham & Greenways PDF)
American Tobacco Trail
(Chatham & Wake Sections PDF)
Latest News
Workday at Eagle Spur Trail–October 18th 2020
Steve Lund is leading a workday on the Eagle Spur Trail, Sunday October 18th at 9:00 a.m. It's a concrete mixing and pouring party to anchor the first drainage culvert in position. Volunteers should plan to be out there for about 4 hours. We'll meet at the Colvard...
Good News on the Pipeline Proposal
It appears that the strong public reaction to Dominion's pipeline proposal and possibly other technical factors have prompted Dominion to rescind their request to use the ATT rail corridor for a new pipeline connector. NCDOT announced on June 2: "The N.C. Department...
Info on Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline on the ATT
Just over a week ago I was made aware that North Carolina's DOT has been working with Dominion Energy to allow the construction of a 12" diameter gas line using a portion of the ATT corridor from Morrisville Parkway to Scott King Road. This would be from ~mile post...
Upcoming Workday on Eagle Spur Trail
Eagle Spur Trail Workday, Saturday March 7th, 9:00 a.m. Steve Lund will lead a crew of volunteers to: 1. Cut up and remove logs and debris from the trail. 2. Pick up and remove trash. 3. Haul in Sakrete for the culvert project. 4. Remove any fallen trees from the...
Pittard Sears Fountain Closed for the Winter
Due to the sub-freezing temperatures on November 12 through 14, we opted to shut down our fountain to avoid freeze damage to the internal hoses and brass parts vulnerable to freeze damage. Weather permitting, we'll re-open it in late March. The fountains at the New...
Volunteer Workday at Eagle Spur Trail
On Saturday, May 18th, TRTC is sponsoring a second clean-up session at the Eagle Spur Trail. The Eagle Spur is the remnant of the original 1920's "Tobacco Trail" rail grade abandoned with the construction of Jordan Lake and runs from Stagecoach Road 2.3 miles to the...
White Oak Creek Greenway Officially Opened on March 9
The White Oak Greenway opening ceremony will be held at 2 pm on March 9th, 2019. This new greenway has been under construction for several years and the final sections were completed late in 2018. It connects with the ATT just north of the Wimberly Road parking area...
New ATT Maps Here for Viewing and Printing
We have just posted updated maps of the ATT (see left hand sidebar) showing mile points, water access and other info for all three counties as well as connections for the nearby greenways in Durham. Among other changes, we added notes about the recently completed...
Hard Surface Parking and Connector Completed at Pittard Sears
TRTC has completed efforts to put in compliant parking and a new hard surface connector trail. Our efforts on this started in May 2017 with the clearing of a dozen trees and later efforts that year to install a 20' culvert and grind the stumps. The concrete connector...
End of Year Report from TRTC
Take a look at our
New Parking Area At Scott King Road
Earlier in July, City of Durham contractors broke ground to construct a new lot on the east side of the ATT just south of Scott King. The initial funding for this lot was authorized in 2014 and after the initial bids received in 2016 the City had to allocate...
Fountain is Closed for the Winter at Pittard Sears
To protect the numerous delicate parts in our fountain, we shut it down in late November. Weather permitting, we'll re-open it in late March.