paved greenway trail

Parks and Recreation

Big Branch Greenway Connector

3.5+ Mile Greenway Trail

Project Overview

The Big Branch Trail project includes the planning and construction of portions of a trail corridor generally running parallel to Big Branch. The corridor will consist of six segments, some with trail facilities that will be designed and constructed as part of this Parks Bond project, some that will utilize trails or sidewalks constructed by other departments or outside entities, some that will utilize existing sidewalks along nearby roads and some where feasibility will be completed as part of this project but further design and construction will occur at an undetermined point in the future. 

Segment 1 will run between the Crabtree Creek Trail on the south and Wake Towne Drive on the north. The exact alignment, either along Big Branch, along adjacent roadways, or a combination of both, will be determined during the design process. Segment 2 will utilize the Midtown Multimodal Bridge currently being designed by the City of Raleigh Department of Transportation. Segment 3 will be designed and constructed by The Exchange, a mixed-use development being planned and constructed by Dewitt Carolinas, and will run from the Midtown Multimodal Bridge on the south to St. Albans Dr on the north. 

Segment 4 will run along Big Branch, between St Albans Dr on the south and Hardimont Rd on the north. Segment 5 will utilize existing sidewalks along Quail Hollow Dr between Hardimont Rd on the south and Millbrook Rd on the north. Segment 6 will run between Millbrook Rd on the south and Cedar Hills Park on the north. Portions of this segment may run along Big Branch while others may utilize existing sidewalks along nearby roads. 

The Big Branch Trail project will include the planning, design and construction of Segments 1 and 4. The project will include a feasibility study for Segment 6 while further design and construction of Segment 6 will be completed at an undetermined time in the future. No improvements will be evaluated, as part of the Big Branch Trail project, for Segment 5 since existing sidewalks are in place along the entire segment. The timeline for the design and construction of Segments 2 and 3, being completed by other departments or outside entities, is undetermined. When all 6 segments are complete and connected, the Big Branch Trail will form an approximately 3.5-mile-long connection between the Crabtree Creek Trail on the south and Cedar Hills Park on the north.

Please visit the engagement portal to view the public engagement process.

Project Timeline: 2024-2026

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Project Details

 
Type:
Greenways and Trails
Budget:
$4,560,000
Contractors:
Design Consultant - Kimley Horn

Contact

 

Raleigh Parks
Planning and Public Engagement
Kris Nikfar, Engineer
kris.nikfar@raleighnc.gov

Engineering Services
Design and Construction
Dale Tiska, Senior Construction Project Manager
dale.tiska@raleighnc.gov

Lead Department:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
Participating Department:
Engineering ServicesPlanning and Development

Subscribe

 

Planning

No planning phase involved in this bond project. The Capital Area Greenway Master Plan was adopted by City Council in 2021.

Design

We have just entered the design phase for this project. During the January 16, 2024, meeting Raleigh City Council approved the design consultant contract with Kimley Horn. 

Lead Department:
Engineering Services

Construction

Complete


Project Schedule

DateActivity
Spring/Early Summer 2024Existing Conditions Analysis
Summer 2024Alternative Alignment Analysis
Later Summer - Fall 2024Public Involvement Phase 1
Late 2024 - Early 2025Schematic Design Complete
Early 2025Public Involvement Phase 2
Summer - Late 2025Environmental Permitting
Late 2025Public Involvement Phase 3
Summer 2025 - Fall 2025Planning and Development Permitting
Spring 2025 - Late 2026Right-Of-Way Acquisition
Late 2026Construction Notice to Proceed
Late 2027Construction Complete (Segments 1 and 4)

Big Branch Greenway Connector Project Updates

 

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