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J Branch Feasibility Study Presentation
PURPOSE: This agenda item is designed to provide the Town Council with an update on a feasibility study exploring the possibility of converting the existing CoGen rail line to a “rail to trail” or “rail and trail” facility. A representative from VHB, the consultant firm leading the study, will make the presentation.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Information
INFORMATION: On March 19, 2024, former Senator Graig Meyer and others presented the Town Council with information on an initiative to repurpose the approximately 10.8-mile CoGen rail line to a multimodal transportation and recreation facility (Town of Carrboro - Meeting of Town Council on 3/19/2024 at 7:00 PM <https://carrboro.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1155301&GUID=3B9BD708-E2BE-452D-A159-5E64D94B7ACA&Options=&Search=>. Discussion included a request for the Town to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with UNC-Chapel Hill, the Town of Chapel Hill, Orange County, and the Southern Environmental Law Center to envision, plan, and jointly seek grant funding to advance the project. Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization (TWTPO) offered to facilitate the procurement process and assist with the preparation of a feasibility study. VHB was selected as the lead consultant with HR&A assisting with economic and community impact, Gensler with public awareness/stakeholder engagement and McAdams preparing the concept plana and developing cost estimates.
Work on the feasibility study began in late 2025 and is approaching the halfway point, just as the first phase of engagement is just wrapping up. A representative from VHB will provide the Council with an overview of the feasibility study, a summary of the work completed to date, information about engagement process and public comment received, and an outline for the remaining steps. The project is anticipated to be finished in May 2027. Additional information may be viewed at the project website J Branch Rail Trail Feasibility Study | Triangle West TPO <https://www.twtpo.org/programs-and-initiatives/ongoing-programs-and-projects/special-studies/j-branch-rail-trail>.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL AND STAFF IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact related to receiving the presentation. The Town Council authorized the Town’s contribution of $10,000 toward the feasibility study on February 4, 2025. Staff continues to participate on the project advisory committee.
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Community Impact
COMMUNITY IMPACT: There is no direct community impact to receiving the update. The live-stream presentation and recording provides an opportunity for community members to learn about the project and to access the project webpage. Staff anticipates more direct interaction with Carrboro residents at future pop-ups and engagement events once the analysis is further along. Of note, community impact in Carrboro will most likely occur within the downtown area where the existing railroad right-of-way is relatively narrow, opportunities for rail and trail may be more difficult to accommodate.
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Climate Impact
CLIMATE IMPACT: There are no specific climate impacts relating to receiving the update. If the feasibility analysis leads to specific alignment for a transportation project, there is the potential to create a substantial public investment for a regional off-road trail facility, and potentially a transit corridor. Both options would provide real alternative to single occupancy vehicle usage (SOV) and could significantly advance the Town’s interest in greenhouse gas reduction. Consideration of additional impervious surface within the corridor would have to be monitored should construction level design moves forward.
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