PROJECT OVERVIEW December 2020 Kathryn Zeringue Jason Reyes Jake Petrosky Outline 1. Background & Network Development 2. Implementation Strategy 3. Public Engagement PROJECT BACKGROUND 2000-2020: Progress across the state for long-distance and local/regional networks. • 2016: NCDOT, in partnership with NC State Parks, releases the Great Trails State booklet, highlighting progress across NC and setting the stage for next steps

• 2017: NCDOT Have you had a releases findings of chance to use this the Economic Impact Economic Impact of Shared Use Paths in NC report, making Report in your work? the case for https://itre.ncsu.edu/focus/ investment in trails. bike-ped/sup-economic- impacts/ INSPIRING STATEWIDE INVESTMENT 2019-2020: • Other states, like Florida, New York, Oregon, and Ohio announce and release plans for statewide trail networks.

• launches this project to build on past successes to develop the Great Trails State plan. One Network of Trails. One Hundred Counties. Connect communities to the great outdoors, while creating opportunities for transportation, conservation, recreation, education, physical health, environmental health, tourism, and economic prosperity. The Great Trails State For this project, “trails” refers to shared-use paths, also known as greenways, greenway trails, multi-use trails, side paths (along roadways), and rail-trails (along rail corridors).

They could be paved or unpaved, but should support bicycling (as opposed to hiking-only trails).

Limited on-road connections will be necessary for connectivity The Great Trails State: Project Schedule Data Collection Study Area: Over 50,000 square miles DATA COLLECTION: EXISTING TRAILS DATA COLLECTION: DATA COLLECTION: MOUNTAINS-TO-SEA TRAIL DATA COLLECTION: DESIGNATED BICYCLE ROUTES DATA COLLECTION: 100 COUNTIES DATA COLLECTION: 14 NCDOT DIVISIONS DATA COLLECTION: PBIN & LOCAL & REGIONAL PLANS DATA COLLECTION: NC STATE PARKS DATA COLLECTION: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Intact Habitat Cores by Connectivity Importance (ESRI’s GI Initiative) Committee Guidance & Stakeholder Support The Great Trails State: Project Process KICK-OFF MEETING Steering Committee STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS • 14 Division Meetings (all virtual) • Hundreds of participants • Focus was on identifying main routes connecting counties • Detailed meeting notes available for review Draft Statewide Network Developing the Draft Network

(Early 2020)

(Mid 2020)

(Late 2020) Preliminary Network (Early 2020) Draft Plan Network (Mid 2020) Great Trails State Network (Late 2020) Draft Great Trails State Network

This is a working draft and subject to change. Visit project website for latest version.

GTS Network Segmentation

In the plan, for general audience: In a supplementary appendix, for Broad segmentation, using municipal names and implementation partners/stakeholders: division boundaries to identify vast segments • 578 individual segments

• Name, From/To, Jurisdiction, Type, Mileage

• Can be updated and added to over time GTS Division Maps

Front Side: Executive Summary

Back Sides: 14 Division Maps GTS Division Maps Example Division Maps (all are available online for review and comment) A Visionary Plan for North Carolina

• Decades in the making, through hundreds of local plans and initiatives, the Great Trails State is ready to become a reality.

• For the first time in the state’s history, this plan identifies a proposed network of trails that would connect all 100 counties throughout the state, creating lasting investments in rural and urban areas alike. Planning Document & Implementation Plan Outline I. Executive Summary II. Vision & Goals III. Development of the Great Trails State Network IV. Great Trail State Network Recommendations V. Strategies and Action Steps VI. Funding VII. Five Year Implementation Plan Major Recommendations • Refine and Design Connections • Trail Designation, Branding and Wayfinding • Trail-Friendly Policies • Coordinate with Implementation Partners • Create Accountability • Evaluate and Update the GTS Plan • Tourism and Engagement Trail Designation • 580 Miles of the Great Trails State Network exists • Designation of Great Trail State segments could build momentum and recognize great local and regional efforts to date • Future tasks needed to refine branding and wayfinding

Deep River State Trail Photo Credit: Briana Haferman Trail-Friendly Policies Complete Streets

Maintenance

Bridges

No New Deficiencies Implementation Partners Implementation Partners Trail Funding • Existing funding breakdown • Recommendation to establish a sustained, dedicated source of funding for trails in NC • $30M in initial investment and reoccurring amount • Allocation recommendations based on Steering Committee input (30% pre-construction, 70% construction) • Project selection & requirements • Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) Law modifications • Allow state funding to be used for independent bike/ped projects • Project Scoring recommendations INSPIRING STATEWIDE INVESTMENT

FLORIDA: Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail program provides a recurring $25 million allocation INSPIRING STATEWIDE INVESTMENT NEW YORK: Empire State Trail: $200M dedicated to trail construction, plus $80M matching funds from various federal, state, local, and private sources. Trail Funding Why Trails, Why Now? • Trails and Economic Development • Urban / Rural Equity • Public Health • Trails as Regional and Statewide Infrastructure Action Plan Public Outreach

Next Steps Next Steps Final thoughts …for now. Thinking Long-Term • What will have been accomplished with this plan in 5 years? 25 years? 100 years?! • How will the plan evolve in the future? Example: Raleigh Greenway Plan (50 years)

2020: Early 1970s: More than 100 miles Bold Vision of paved greenway What matters most is that we get started, assess, adapt, and continue. Further Questions, Comments and Ideas: Kathryn Zeringue [email protected]