Triangle Transit invited the public to give input on the proposed 17-mile light rail line extending from UNC Hospitals to east Durham, on Wednesday afternoon at the Friday Center.

Katharine Eggleston, transportation engineer for Triangle Transit, presented possible routes for the rail line.

“The most important news we have tonight is that the C1 alternative has been eliminated,” said Eggleston.

Officials were considering this route that crosses Little Creek. The Army Corps of Engineers does not authorize building the C1 route, which would cross Army Corps’ property. Three alternative routes at Little Creek are still on the table.

People walked around talking to transit officials and looking at information stations, which had maps and key questions officials are considering.

Five key questions:

  • To build or not to build the light rail line
  • Which rail route to build at Little Creek
  • Which route to build at New Hope Creek
  • Where to build the station at Duke/VA Medical Centers
  • Where to build the Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility

 

Patrick McDonough, a Planning Manager from Triangle Transit, said he is hearing a lot of questions about the environmental impact.

“Folks are interested in, ‘How are we crossing the creeks? How many acres of wetlands are impacted, and what are the different types of impacts?’” McDonough said.

John Kent has been involved in a committee that advises local governments on planning for New Hope Creek, and he volunteers to monitor the creek’s water quality. He came to hear results of Triangle Transit’s environmental studies. Kent feels the environmental analysis should go deeper.

“Fragmenting habitat is one thing that needs to be looked at more closely,” said Kent in an interview.

You can find a visual overhead tour of the light rail project here. A Triangle Transit website says the line “could start (operation) in 2025/2026.” You can find out more and send comments at the website, ourtransitfuture.com.

The next public session is on Thursday from 4 to 7 pm at the Durham Station Transportation Center. That’s at 515 W Pettigrew Street in Durham.

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