The Mine Creek Trail is located in north Raleigh and parallels Mine Creek between Sawmill Road and the Crabtree Creek Trail just north of I-440. The trail is approximately 4 miles in length and is an important north-south connection within the Capital Area Greenway System.

Staff is currently coordinating improvements to a section of the Mine Creek Trail, particularly to address two aged pedestrian structures (#32 and #33) and the adjacent trail facility. These structures and trail are located south of W. Millbrook Road, downstream of Shelley Lake. The structures were originally constructed in the late 1970’s and although have been maintained, the structures have reached their lifespan and are in need of full replacement. Both structures are constructed of timber and are 8-foot in width, of which is less than the current width standard of 10’ feet. Funding in the amount of $210,000 was provided in the 2014 Parks Bond Referendum to help support these improvement efforts. To date, improvements have not been made due to continuous project evaluation, increased projects costs, evaluation of greenway system needs, recommendations of the adopted (2022) Greenway Master Plan and including on-going efforts to coordinate this project with Raleigh Water’s Mine Creek Outfall Gravity Sewer project.

Two project alignments were evaluated.

• Option 1: Replace Structures and Trail -  includes the replacement of the existing two structures with new structures and new asphalt. 
• Option 2: Realign Trail and Remove Structures - includes realigning the trail to the north-west side of Mine Creek, along an existing sewer easement clearing. 

At the February 20, 2024 City Council Meeting, Council members voted for Option 1 and directed staff to come back to City Council with a recommendation on how to accomplish Option 1 with available funding.