Morgan Creek Trail East Expansion Project

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Morgan Creek Greenway East Section 

Morgan Creek East ExapansionLast year, the Town Council approved $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to be allocated for the Morgan Creek Greenway East Section design project. 

 

June 24, 2025 

A virtual meeting with residents of the Kings Mill Morgan Creek Neighborhood was held on June 18, 2025. A recording of the meeting can be found through the following link. https://mcadamsco.zoom.us/rec/share/0jm7DYI54lHG9rnK93QreqcmF4lqkCtHQD6y0svc67SYwG9gGhkcFbAwYRPAznxP.Y2Ulsa0yEY6LRdWT

Passcode: hY.ii9#f

Link to the Meeting Chat notes, Summary, the All Way Stop Control Evaluation Information, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation Projects. 

2025-06-18 Morgan Creek Greenway East Extension Project, Kings Mill, Morgan Creek Neighborhood Meeting, Zoom Chat Log

2025-06-18 Morgan Creek Greenway East Extension KMMC Neighborhood Meeting Nts

Morgan Creek Greenway East Extension Project - AWSC Evaluation Letter 3.10.2025

https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/UtQ4C2kQ0nCV22Mgt2syh5lib_?domain=connect.ncdot.gov

Next Steps Summer - Winter 2025

  • Survey to determine residents' preferences for pavement markings and wayfinding information on the shared streets, specifically the portion along the Kings Mill Morgan Creek neighborhood section of the greenway.

  • Complete geotechnical, drainage, and stormwater design.

  • Meet with team members from permitting, regulatory agencies, and other partners to share plans and receive input.

  • Prepare an updated opinion of the probable cost of construction.

June 3, 2025 

A virtual meeting is scheduled with the residents of the Kings Mill Morgan Creek Neighborhood on June 18 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm to share the 30% design documents for the East Extension of the Morgan Creek Greenway.

May 27, 2025 

A virtual meeting is planned for June from 6:00 to 7:00 pm with the residents of the Kings Mill Morgan Creek Neighborhood to share the 30% design documents for the East Extension of the Morgan Creek Greenway. More information on the meeting is forthcoming. 

November 7, 2024 Update 

A virtual meeting with the residents of the Kings Mill Morgan Creek Neighborhood was held on October 22, 2004. A recording of the meeting can be found through the following link. https://mcadamsco.zoom.us/rec/share/kv15BIn7L7enmeJ8p34bHJKF7yWE137wBSLYQbSzB1tBn_qVrbesXwyWqiA7ZirE.UXRAncBriI5-L3RH

Passcode: e+.bm^K6

 September 13, 2024 Update

A virtual meeting with the Kings Mill Morgan Creek Neighborhood Association is being scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. More information on the meeting is forthcoming.

The link below includes a memo regarding the possibility of installing a bicycle-pedestrian crossing at Oteys Road and 15-501. 

Morgan Creek Greenway East Extension Project Oteys Road Crossing Info Aug24

August 6, 2024 Update

Converting roads within the Kings Mill Morgan Creek Neighborhood to one-way is no longer being considered for this project.  

August 2024 Update

A virtual meeting with the Kings Mill Morgan Creek Neighborhood Association was held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on July 30, 2024. Design Team members shared information on the project's status and offered ideas for aligning the East Extension, including a shared street option and converting Morgan Creek Road to one-way, which would provide a separate lane for bicycle and pedestrian users. 

The link below includes the recording, and comments from the meeting are shown in the chat.

https://mcadamsco.zoom.us/rec/share/Lo_j721JWL3cA_uLBsRQbQ5vm-niXhS9ICjTg7Ak0uXe_ZhqOfnCMMlTqX0iAyw.Co2JproJPWDpXiEB

A follow-up meeting on the design of the East Extension is scheduled for the Fall of 2024. 

 May 2024

The Feasibility Phase of the Morgan Creek Greenway East Section Extension is complete. A meeting will be scheduled in Summer 2024 with residents of the Kings Mill and Morgan Creek neighborhoods to review the alignment and kick off the design and construction documents phase. 

Feasibility Phase Final Report and Updated Segments

Morgan Creek Greenway East Section Extension Feasibility Technical Memo-27March24

Morgan Creek Greenway East Section Extension Feasibility Segment Descriptions 27March24

Morgan Creek Greenway East Section Feasibility Community Engagement Info March24F

April 2024 Update 

The results of the preliminary engineering phase of the East Section extension were shared with the Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Commission on March 19, 2024. The final report, including the alignment recommendation(s) and the results of the Community Engagement Phase, will be posted on this page in May. 

January 2024 Update 

Introduction to our Feasibility Study/ Preliminary Engineering Report 

The proposed extension to the Morgan Creek Greenway is designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing Morgan Creek Trail, starting from Merritt’s Pasture and extending eastward to connect with Manning Drive.

The proposed path will be primarily on Town-owned property, use roadway right-of-way, or, if necessary, use public access easements granted by willing property owners. 

Download a larger map

Please get in touch with Marcia Purvis with questions about the project mpurvis@townofchapelhill.org. Phone number: 919.968.2750 

Public Engagement Phase    

A drop-in style public meeting was held on December 9, 2023, at the Chapel Hill Public Library, allowing the public to review maps and information boards about the project at their own pace. Town and consultant design staff were available to guide participants through the materials and answer questions. Paper copies of the web survey were available, along with a general meeting comment form. The meeting was advertised on the Town’s website and social media sites, through emails from the Town to local advocacy organizations, property owners, and with physical flyers.

Presentation materials included alignment maps, site analysis maps, typical sections, and comparable images.

Additional public meetings and walks by the Town Staff

  • November 21, 2023. The project team presented an update on the project and preliminary route alternatives to the Chapel Hill Parks, Greenways, & Recreation Commission.
  • December 14, 2023, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. At the Morgan Creek Greenway parking lot, approximately 16 people were on site to find out more about the project, some of whom participated in a walk to review the connection from the existing trail to the new extension.  
  • December 14, 2023, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. A virtual meeting was held, with five participants.
  • December 15, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A virtual meeting was held, with one participant.
  • January 30, 2024, from 1:30-4:00 p.m. At Merritt’s Pasture, the project team met with neighborhood residents and other stakeholders to discuss alignment and design alternatives.

October 2023 Update

The Town has awarded a contract to McAdams Company for planning, community engagement, and design services for developing the route for the East section of the Morgan Creek Greenway.

This phase of work reviews three options for the length and alignment of the greenway.

The public engagement phase is anticipated to kick off in November and continue into December, and will include virtual and in-person meetings, as well as an online survey. 

December 2022 Update

The Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department is seeking Statements of Qualifications from firms interested in providing planning, community engagement, and design services for the development of the East section of the Morgan Creek Greenway in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

June 8, 2022 Update

The Town has allocated American Rescue Plan Act Funding to complete planning, design, and construction documents for the Morgan Creek Greenway East Section.

This phase would extend the Morgan Creek Trail eastward 3,800 feet to Oteys Road or further to Manning Drive and connect the trail system to extensive neighborhoods south of Fordham Boulevard. One alignment option for this project would be within the Fordham Boulevard Right-of-Way and require safety measures and a retaining wall that meets North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) specifications. 

MORGAN CREEK GREENWAY PROJECTS - HISTORY  

October 2017 Update

The Town has been working on an expansion of the trail and connectivity projects along Morgan Creek in southern Chapel Hill. Currently, the Town operates a 1.6-mile paved trail system (Fan Branch and Morgan Creek Trails). The Fan Branch Trail connects the southern tip of Southern Community Park with the Morgan Creek Trail. The existing Morgan Creek Trail extends from Merritt's Pasture to a parking lot just east of Kingswood Apartments.

Following is an update on progress and setbacks related to the Morgan Creek Trail project

February 2017 Update

A public forum was held to present preliminary concepts for the three segments of the Morgan Creek Trail project. Staff and the design firm shared current thinking on how to proceed. We gathered input and comments from the public to be analyzed before developing a more detailed plan. This important meeting will help set the future direction of these projects.

The following are materials that were shared at the meeting.