Title
Proposed Installation of Gas Pipeline Along American Tobacco Trail Right-of-Way (20 minutes)
Dale McKeel, LPA Staff
Jason Orthner, PE, Director, NCDOT Rail Division (invited)
Narrative
The American Tobacco Trail (ATT) is a 22-mile-long trail located in Wake, Chatham, and Durham counties that is primarily built on right-of-way of the former Durham and South Carolina railroad. In the mid to late 1990s, NCDOT acquired much of the former railroad right-of-way in order to preserve it intact for future railroad use. Since that time, NCDOT has entered into agreements with local governments allowing interim use of the railroad right of way for the ATT.
At its meeting on May 7, the N.C. Board of Transportation approved a resolution granting Dominion Energy an easement to build a 12-inch gas pipeline in a portion of the railroad right-of-way where the ATT is located, for a one-time payment of $3 million. The resolution authorizes NCDOT's Manager of the Right-of-Way Unit to "execute the appropriate instrument" for a gas pipeline easement in the NCDOT right-of-way.
On June 2, it was announced that Dominion Energy has rescinded its request to utilize NCDOT right of way along the American Tobacco Trail for a pipeline.
Jason Orthner, Director of the NCDOT Rail Division, has been invited to the MPO Board meeting to discuss the gas pipeline. Attachments include the resolution approved by the Board of Transportation, a presentation on the proposed gas pipeline, and an article from the The News & Observer. NC Policy Watch also published an article that can be viewed on-line at https://bit.ly/2U5Fb9m
Recommendation
TC Action: None
Board Action
Board Action: Receive information about the gas pipeline proposal.