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
Bridge Over I-40 Open at Last!!
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...
Break-ins at ATT Trailheads !!!
Since early November, a number of automobile break-ins have been reported at the trailheads at Fayetteville Road in Durham , at the White Oak Church Road in Wake County and at the shoulder parking along Scott-King Road. Police from Durham and from Cary have...
Update on I-40 Bridge Background and Status
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...
End of Year Message from TRTC–2013
New wheel stops at the Pittard Sears parking lot in April 2013 Dear Friends of the American Tobacco Trail, Season’s greetings and happy holidays from Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TRTC)! It’s almost the end of the year and we would like to take this...
I-40 Bridge Probably Not Ready for Santa This Year But He Can Use ATT Along Massey-Chapel Road
A recent letter to the Durham News http://www.thedurhamnews.com/2013/11/22/3390528/your-letters-nov-24.html from Marvin Williams, the Director of the City's Public Works Department, has pushed completion of the I-40 bridge to January 2014. These delays have pushed...
Extension of Porta-Jon Service, New ATT Construction Images
Good news for trail users in south Durham, TRTC's Board approved a longer term extension of porta-jon service at the Fayetteville Road Trailhead. With the growing number of people using this section of the ATT this unit has received lots of use since we re-started...
Durham Sees Two Month Delay in I-40 Bridge Completion
On October 2nd Durham announced that recent inspections of the bridge had discovered problems with the safety fencing which must be addressed before the bridge can be opened for public use. According to Marvin Williams, director of the City’s Public Works Department:...
Bridge Construction on the Home Stretch
A recent article in Durham's Herald-Sun http://www.heraldsun.com/news/localnews/x1576247474/Tobacco-Trail-bridge-construction-in-home-stretch discusses some interesting features of the bridge's construction. The cement decking for the bridge was poured on August 27th...
Porta-Jon Restored at Fayetteville Road Trailhead
TRTC has arranged for a porta-jon for ATT users at Fayetteville Road for 16 weeks. The unit was put in service on July 29th and will be in place through November 17th. If funds are available, we plan to re-start this service in March 2014.
Completion and Opening Event for I-40 Bridge and Phase E Section of the ATT Delayed
Durham's contractor, Blythe construction, is dealing with issues relating to completing the bridge and the construction of the short trail section to be built alongside Massey Chapel Road. Durham now projects (weather permitting) that the bridge should be completed by...
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 - A Total impact of $5.7 million. Although the Senate budget proposal includes language that gives...
New Greenway Links Cary to Raleigh
A new link in Cary’s greenway opens a new region for cycling and walking. With a final half-mile stretch and a footbridge recently completed, the Black Creek Greenway officially runs from Bond Park in western Cary to Umstead State Park, the huge natural area in...