HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 06-16-2026; 12-2 - Information Item - J Branch Rail Trail Quarterly Report Late 2025 - June 2026 Project Contact: J B R R n C H
David Miller,TWTPO RAILTRAIL
Quarterly Summary david.miller@twtpo.org FEASIBILITY STUDY
Project Summary:The Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization (TWTPO),the Town of Chapel Hill,the Town of Carrboro, Orange County, the
North Carolina Railroad Company(NCRR), and UNC Chapel Hill are leading a regional feasibility study to examine potential future reuses of the J Branch
rail corridor.The nearly 11-mile corridor runs from the UNC Cogeneration Facility on Cameron Avenue through downtown Carrboro and the western edge
of Chapel Hill,through Blackwood Station, and ends at the historic University Station site just south of 1-85 in Orange County.The purpose of the study is
to establish a vision for the corridor and to develop high-level concepts for potential future uses.Visit https://vh_b tinl</j-branch for more information.
Progress to Date:TWTPO formed a Client Project Management team and contracted with a consultant team led by VHB in November 2025. In December
2025, consultants and local stakeholders met for a Visioning Workshop. In the first half of 2026,the project team developed a project website, contacted
property owners adjacent to the corridor, analyzed existing conditions, reviewed local plans and policies affecting the study area, completed case
studies about similar projects in the U.S.,formed a Project Advisory Committee and held its first meeting, and began developing the study's first round of
public engagement.
Q1 and Q2 Past Activities(December 2025—June 2026) Q3 Anticipated Activities(July—September 2026)
Visioning Workshop(December 2025) Identify and Assess Potential Alternatives
Existing Conditions Summary Stakeholder Interviews
Plan Review Summary Conduct Phase I Public Workshops and Pop Up Events
Project Advisory Committee Meeting#1 Project Advisory Committee Meeting#2
Property Owner Outreach—Postcard Mailing/Website/Survey Release Synthesize Phase I Public Survey Results
Phase I Public Engagement Development
Schedule:
0-2026 2027
Task J A S O N D J F M A M
1 Project Administration
2 Data Collection, Inventory and Case Studies
3 Plan Review and Potential Scenarios
4 Physical Feasibility and Right-of-Way(ROW)Assessment
5 Economic and Community Impact Analyses
6 Trail Concept Plan
7 Planning Level Cost Estimates
8 Partnerships,Opportunities and Strategies
9 Public Awareness and Stakeholder Engagement
10 Final Products