Selected Wake News--2000-2002

News from 2001-2002
In February 2001, contractor effort began on a several month study of the 5 ATT bridge structures in Wake and Chatham County. In late November 2001, all hydrological studies, structural engineering studies and design alternatives were completed. Surveys on all 5 bridges have been completed and detailed specifications for new top structures prepared. TRTC and Wake County Parks & Rec.have worked quite closely on this effort.

In other Wake news, on June 19th, 2002 TRTC Board member Leslie Kennedy presented our views to the Cary Greenways Master Plan Group during a meeting held to gather public input on a major update to Cary's 1998 Greenways and Bikeways Master Plan. (In June 2000, Cary Mayor Glen Lang stated that Cary will construct a greenway connection from the American Tobacco Trail to the trails in Umstead Park. This will effectively link the Raleigh Greenway system with the American Tobacco Trail).

Update on the Proposed Apex-Greenlevel Transmission Line In late November 2001 we found out that Carolina Power and Light is planning to build a high voltage 115 kilovolt transmission line from a substation along US 1 near the Friendship Community in southwestern Wake County north to a new substation to be built adjacent to the Cary-Apex Water Treatment Plant near Green Level. This project is known as the Apex-Green Level Transmission Enhancement Project.
CP&L held a public hearing on this project on November 7. TRTC was not invited to this hearing, probably due to oversight.
Several routes were considered by CP&L. In late February, 2002 the CP&L website announced that the Company has selected a route and is currently contacting adjacent landowners to provide them with specific information. The good news is that the route selected will not be the ATT Corridor. The selected route will cross the corridor twice but will probably not endanger any substantial amount of vegetation on the ATT. Clearing of the selected route was started during the Fall (2002).
If you have additional questions or concerns on the route please submit your comments in writing to :
Marty Clayton
Community Relations
CP&L
3000 Spring Forest Rd.
Raleigh, NC  27616

News from 2000-2001
In January 2000, the Wake County Commissioners unanimously approved the Master Plan for the 7 mile portion of the ATT in Wake County. During 2001 the legal and Parks & Rec. staffs negotiated numerous issues concerning easements and access to the ATT with the NC Wildlife Commission and the Corps of Engineers. In early 2002, Wake signed a long term lease (~10 yrs.) with the NC DOT. For the Fiscal Year which started July 1, 2000, Wake's Park & Recreation Dept. received funds for further design and planning and for trail clean-up and maintenance. In April 2000, the Wake Commissioners approved approximately $1,000,000 for ATT development from funds to be collected under Wake's special tax on lodging and motel receipts. Former Commissioner Yvonne Brannon (she was defeated for re-election) played a key role in securing this funding. These funds became available during 2001. In late October 2000, Wake County Parks & Rec. received notification of approval of $271,000 for future ATT development under a Transportation Enhancement Grant. Funds from this grant will be used for land acquisition, upgrading the existing trail surface, providing access facilities and signs, and for bridge surfaces over one or more of the creeks in Wake County. (This funding became available in July 2001.)

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