Construction Updates:

Latest construction information can be found at: https://carygreenwaydetour.com/

Project Background

The Black Creek Greenway is one of Cary’s most popular due to its length and connection to other important recreational and open space areas. Black Creek Greenway extends 7.1 miles from Old Reedy Creek Road by Lake Crabtree to the greenway hub located in Bond Park, Cary's largest municipal park. At Bond Park it connects to other trails, most importantly the White Oak Greenway, which extends seven miles to the American Tobacco Trail. The Black Creek/White Oak Greenway trail system is part of the East Coast Greenway which will eventually go from Maine to Florida. It currently connects Cary to Downtown Durham via the American Tobacco Trail, Raleigh and Clayton via Umstead State Park, the Capital Area Greenway System, and the Neuse River Greenway.

Phases I and II

The 2.5 mile section of the Black Creek Greenway between Old Reedy Creek Road and West Dynasty Drive is being redesigned. This section of Black Creek Greenway was constructed over 25 years ago. Its width will be increased to 12 feet (including bridges) to meet Cary’s current greenway design standard. The trail will be realigned to eliminate some of the sharper curves, improve drainage and relocate sections away from flood prone areas where possible. The widening and realignment will improve safety, accommodate the increased use, and prevent storm damage.

Black Creek Greenway cleanup after a storm on January 3, 2022

Phase V

This .25 mile of new greenway will connect directly across West Dynasty Drive. It will eliminate the steep 0.4 mile sidewalk connection on West Dynasty Drive between Phases II and III of the greenway trail. The construction of Phase V will make the Black Creek Greenway more accessible and enjoyable to a wider segment of the population by providing a continuous greenway trail that maintains a manageable slope for bicyclists and the general population. It will offer the benefit of being in the woods.

The primary objectives of the project are to:

1. Upgrade the trail so it meets Cary’s current greenway standards
2. Improve overall trail drainage
3. Where possible relocate sections of the trail away from flood prone areas
4. Realign trail to eliminate sharp curves
5. Upgrade and elevate the existing bridges to reduce flooding
6. Treat run-off when possible to improve water quality
7. Eliminate the steep sidewalk connection on West Dynasty Drive
8. Increase scenic value of the trail

Map of Existing Conditions

Map of Renovation Project

Grant Approved Phases I & V

Project Cost and Schedule

The total project budget for design and construction is $13.5 million, including approximately $5 million in federal grant funding.

• Began Flood Study and Greenway Design: Winter 2016
• Complete Flood Study, Greenway Design and Easement Acquisition: Summer 2021
• Complete permitting: Fall 2023
• Begin construction: Spring/Summer 2024
• For the most up-to-date construction updates, visit www.carygreenwaydetour.com

Related Projects

Cary Parkway Pedestrian Bridge at Black Creek

On October 8, 2019, Cary citizens approved moving forward with several transportation and parks related projects as part of the 2019 Shaping Cary’s Tomorrow 2019 Bond Referendum including $4.8M to complete a 650-foot sidewalk gap along NW Cary Parkway where the roadway crosses over Black Creek Greenway. This sidewalk completion, taking the form of a pedestrian bridge, will improve connectivity between numerous residential developments, areas of employment, parks, and greenways. Learn more about this project.

Contact

Kyle Hubert, PE
Project Manager
Transportation Department
(919) 462-3938
kyle.hubert@carync.gov