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
Lawson Street Connector Trail Dedicated
On Saturday May 15th we sponsored a brief ceremony to dedicate the completion of this latest connection to the ATT. We heard remarks from staff from both the North Carolina Rails Division and the Parks Division, Durham Parks & Recreation, City Councilman Mike...
Tobacco Road Marathon Distributes Grants from Race Proceeds
In early May, TRTC was one of three organizations to receive a generous grant from proceeds of the 2010 marathon. TRTC received $20,000, the Wounded Warrior Project received $10,000 and $5,000 was awarded to the Red Cross to be directed to the Haitian relief fund....
Interesting Article on Future Bridge for the ATT
Jim Wise, a long time Durham columnist, presents a short history of efforts to plan and then obtain funding and permits for the bridge to be built over I-40 over the next 12-15 months. The 2006 petition asking for expedited action by Durham was sponsored by TRTC.
Bull City Summer Streets–To Be held in Downtown Durham
Clean Energy-Durham is sponsoring a "get out and walk around the downtown" event on Sunday May 23rd from 2 to 6 pm. One mile of city streets near downtown will be opened to biking, walking and playing. Come enjoy the safety and fun of open streets, and participate in...
Lawson Street Connector is Now Open
We were busy last week. Cole Concrete took advantage of the nice weather and completed the grading, concrete pouring and bollard installation. This 115' walkway is just north of Mile 1 on the ATT and now provides a smooth connection to Lawson Street and the NCCU area...
Formal Opening of Chatham Section of ATT– June 5, 2010
Chatham County and the City of Cary will hold a Grand Opening on Saturday June 5th from 10 to noon at the Pittard Sears Road access. (The rain date and time is Sunday, June 6th from 2 to 4.) The event will be held along the trail south of Pittard Sears towards the...
Work Resumes on Lawson Street Connector
On April 3rd we held a successful workday to cut up and remove some fallen trees and do a bit more on general trash removal in the wooded area bordering South Street. See workday PIC of volunteers. Our efforts to get the ATT connector built are moving well. (As...
Safety Evaluation for ATT Crossings in Chatham and Wake
With the much increased use of the Chatham section, TRTC, numerous users and some nearby property owners have contacted NCDOT and staff from Cary to express their concerns about the dangers at trail crossings and for users parking and unparking cars near these...
Another Haul from February 2010 Workday on the ATT
On February 28, over 20 members of the Psi Upsilon fraternity at Duke University came out for a second pass at removing the old appliances and trash from the woods adjacent to the new Phase E section of the ATT near Massey Chapel Road. Their initial ATT workday on...
Bridging Rails-to-Trails–A Documentary on the ATT
After several years of preparation, Carol Thomson has now posted her documentary on the history of the American Tobacco Trail. A formal presentation of the documentary is scheduled for 7-8pm on March 24th, at the Durham Arts Council theater. The recent release...
NC Rail Trails Seeks Executive Director
North Carolina Rail-Trails (NCRT), a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) North Carolina corporation, seeks an Executive Director, who will be responsible for leadership, development and management of all NCRT programs and activities. The position will be the first staff...
Workday on South Durham Section of ATT
On December 12th, 14 students from Green Hope High School came out to help us clean-up a large collection of discarded household appliances and other trash near the crossing of Massey Chapel Road and the ATT. Much of this was in the nearby woods and required much...