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
Group Rallies for Safety on Durham Section of the ATT
In response to a number of attacks on users of the ATT over the last year, a Durham-based group, District 3 Partners Against Crime, is now spearheading a "Walk the Trails with a Friend Day" community event. The group's goal is to get neighborhoods along the trail to...
WRAL Video on the American Tobacco Trail
Recently WRAL's Bill Leslie pulled together a really nice video depicting the serenity which many users find on the ATT and how using the trail effects their daily routines. The video only runs a few minutes, so check it out at this link:...
Pass with Care Signs Installed on ATT in Durham
TRTC has installed Pass with Care signs at 6 locations on the ATT north of Highway 54 (Near Dunhill Drive, near Summit Station, 2 near Solite Park, near Lawson Street and near Enterprise Street). These signs are similar to those installed by Cary on the Chatham...
Construction Starting on Final Phase of ATT
On May 20 Durham announced that Blythe Construction will begin work on the $7.7 million Phase E Project on June 11th. The final contract calls for completion of all work in 395 days. The section from Renaissance Parkway to the Chatham County line is scheduled to be...
Preservation Durham Leading Efforts on The Durham Beltline
Preservation Durham announced its 2012 Places in Peril list at its annual meeting Wednesday (May 16th) at Pop’s, the third year it has designated historic Durham properties with perilous futures. Six places are on the list, from a downtown railway to a rural...
New Interim Parking Opened At New Hope Church Road
Cary has finished the trail repairs south of New Hope Church Road and has now opened an area just east of the ATT for parking by ATT users. This is not a large area but should accommodate ~16 vehicles. Cary has allocated funding for a larger, permanent lot on New Hope...
Tobacco Road Marathon Again Donates to TRTC for ATT Support
Once again, TRTC has received a generous donation from the
Contract for Phase E Approved by City Council
Durham's City Council has approved the Phase E contract with Blythe Construction of Charlotte. We understand it will include a dual surface section from the Chatham County line to Scott-King Road. Durham has not released a specific schedule for the project but has...
ATT Bid Process–Feb.15th Bid Opening Pushed Back 1 Week
2/16 Update:The bid opening was delayed again- to Feb. 22. Apparently there was some concern about part of the instructions. The city made updates, but wanted the potential firms to have more time to review the changes. The bid opening for Phase E construction...
Interest in Link from Whiteoak Greenway to ATT Expressed
Citizens in Apex who regularly cycle over to the ATT are now speaking out for Apex or possibly Wake County to look into a future off-road link. This is not a new idea but it's good to see trail users are again speaking out on this proposal. See a
Surgeon General Visiting Durham
On January 26th U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin will be visiting Durham. As part of her activities to promote healthy activities, she will participate in a 30 minute walk on the American Tobacco Trail with members of the Carolina Godiva Track Club. If you...
ATT Parking at Chatham–Good Things Coming Fairly Soon
Over the past few months both TRTC and Cary's Parks & Recreation Department have been busy on trying to develop solutions to the serious parking limitations facing trail users at the three crossings in Chatham. We're happy to report that over the next few months users...