June 7, 2013. Current North Carolina General Assembly draft legislation prohibits state match funding for greenways and other bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
This policy shift would eliminate the way communities around the state have traditionally funded trail design and construction at a time when these projects are seeing incredibly high usage.
In the past, the state has been the primary source of the 20 percent match needed to access 80 percent federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects. So, a $100,000 investment from the state would result in an $400,000 match from the federal government to fund $500,000 dollar project.
This comes at a time when bicycle and pedestrian facilities, particularly greenways, are in high demand throughout North Carolina for their contributions to healthy lifestyles, increased property values, safe routes to schools and commuter options. While some amendments to the legislation may allow current projects to continue, state funding for new trail projects will cease.
Final action is expected to take place next week on this legislation by Tuesday, June 11.
The list of impacted projects below was developed by NCDOT:
- Albemarle – US 52 Sidewalks
- Asheville – Clingman Forest Greenway and Town Branch Greenway
- Blowing Rock – Middle Fork Greenway
- Boone – US 421 Pedestrian Underpass
- Charlotte – Irwin Creek Greenway
- Charlotte – Toby Creek Greenway
- Cornelius – Caldwall Station Greenway
- Creedmoor – U.S. 15 Multi Use Path and Sidewalk Improvements
- Durham – U.S. 15-501 Multi Use Path Connector
- Durham – Garrett Road Bike Lanes and Sidewalks
- Elizabeth City – U.S. 17 to Pritchard St Greenway
- Goldsboro – New Hope Road Multi Use Path
- Greensboro – Battleground to Mendenhall Greenway
- Greenville – South Tar River Greenway Phase 3
- Hendersonville – Oklawha Greenway
- Jacksonville – LeJune Boulevard Greenway
- Jamestown – Deep River Pedestrian Bridge
- Mocksville – Rich Park Greenway
- Mount Airy – Lovills Creek and Ararat River Greenways
- Mount Holly – Mount Holly River Front Greenway
- Raleigh – Neuse River Greenway – Missing Link Connector
- Siler City – Loves Creek Greenway
- Troutman – Main Street to South Iredell High School Sidewalks
- Troy – Okeewemee Road Sidewalks
- Wilmington – Middle Sound Loop – Ogden Elementary Multi-Use Path
- Wilmington – Cross City Trail
- Winston-Salem – Brushy Fork Creek Greenway – Phase IV
- Winston-Salem – Cedar Trails Greenway
- Winston-Salem – PTRP Rail Trail
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