Greenway Planned between Lake Wheeler and Lake Benson? (Raleigh, Garner: cost, to move)

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I found this in the minutes for one of Garner's city government meetings. It's dated July 18, 2006. Has anyone heard of any more progress being made on this proposal?

http://www.ci.garner.nc.us/Forms/7_18_06%20minutes.pdf


PRESENTATION FROM WAKE COUNTY ON SWIFT CREEK GREENWAY

Tim Maloney, Wake County Facilities Design, gave a PowerPoint giving an overview of this project. Wake County, City of Raleigh, Town of Garner and N.C. Department of Transportation own nearly 2,000 acres in the Swift Creek watershed between Lake Wheeler and Lake Benson and have entered into an Inter-Local Agreement to execute a feasibility study and Master Plan for a publicly accessible greenway. Part of the presentation included maps illustrating land acquired by each agency and the phasing plan. Phase I is Lake Wheeler Park to Lake Wheeler Road, Phase II is Lake Wheeler to US 401, Phase III is U.S. 401 to Norfolk Southern Railroad, Phase IV is Norfolk Southern Railroad to Old Stage Road, Phase V is Old Stage to Buffaloe Road, Phase VI is Buffaloe Road to White Deer Park and Phase VII is the future Lake Benson Park Connection. Mr. Maloney said the total project cost for Phases I through VI is estimated at $9,012,000 with Phase VII estimated at $420,000. Mr. Maloney explained the next step will be to complete the final report with recommendations; identify the Swift Creek Greenway on comprehensive greenway plans, initiate community input and public comment; continue collaborating with project partners to identify alternative funding sources for development.

In summary, Mr. Maloney said Wake County will bring an Inter-local Agreement back to the Board for consideration.

Mayor Williams asked if each partner would have to bring in their share of the funding. Mr. Maloney said that has not been determined yet. We needed to go through this process to present a vision before asking anyone to commit to the plan. Mayor Williams commended Mr. Maloney on all of the hard work involved in this process.

Alderman Kennedy asked how may miles from Lake Wheeler to
Lake Benson. Mr. Maloney said it was 5.5 miles. Alderman Kennedy asked Mr. Maloney if he anticipated any issues arising from the bridge crossings. Mr. Maloney said any issues would be associated with the FEMA permitting process.

Mr. Maloney said this was the first time in Wake County that three local governments have worked together on a project and he felt that this project may spur additional trails in each community.

Alderman Johns asked how far down the road Mr. Maloney felt it would be before this project can begin. Mr. Maloney said that grants are available, but will require matching funds. It will be up to the elected officials to move the project along.