Project Overview

The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to construct the Ecusta Trail near Brevard in Western North Carolina.

The Ecusta Trail project is approximately 8 miles of the longer future 19-mile multi-use path along an unused railway corridor (also known as “rail-trail”) that stretches from the City of Brevard in Transylvania County to Hendersonville in Henderson County.

• The proposed trail will be paved
  •  12-foot wide with 3-5’-foot gravel shoulders.
• Seven bridges along the project. 
  • Three railroad bridges can be retained and reused for the trail at a lower cost than replacement.   
  • Four bridges will need to be replaced due to degradation of the existing railroad structures. 
  • One of these four bridges, over the Davidson River, has already been removed and will also be replaced with a prefabricated truss bridge.
• All bridges will have a usable width of 12 feet and will include bicycle/pedestrian friendly safety rails.
• No property will need to be acquired to construct the trail.

Once completed, the Ecusta Trail will connect Brevard, Penrose, Etowah, Horse Shoe, the Town of Laurel Park and the City of Hendersonville. Pisgah National Forest and downtown Brevard will be accessible via connection with the City of Brevard's existing Estatoe Trail. 

​The project will connect rural communities that lack pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure; improve access to essential services, job opportunities, and housing; and provide a direct link to the Pisgah National Forest. The project will repair or replace 7 former railroad trestles.

The purpose of the Ecusta Trail project is to develop an active transportation corridor, provide recreational opportunities and public health benefits for residents and visitors, and promote economic development by retaining and attracting businesses and residents.  

Project History

In June 2021, the Brevard City council adopted Resolution 2021-21 that included securing funding, overseeing design and construction, and managing trail maintenance and safety once in operation. In August 2021, the corridor was purchased from the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad, LLC with grants from NCDOT, the Tourism Development Authorities (Henderson and Transylvania Counties), and the Community Foundation for Western North Carolina.

This project is along the railbed of the former TR Rail Line, originally owned by Norfolk Southern. Efforts to evaluate the potential for a rail-to-trail conversion have been underway since 2007.  The history of this effort is outlined below.

• 2007 – Early meetings in Henderson County to discuss the concept of a rail trail
• 2009 – Joint meetings between Henderson and Transylvania Counties to discuss the concept
• 2009 – Local governments and non-profits passed resolutions in support of the trail
• 2010 – Friends of the Ecusta Trail was incorporated
• 2012 – Ecusta Rail Trail Planning Study and Economic Analysis was completed
• 2014 – Norfolk Southern sold the line to Watco/Blue Ridge Southern Railroad
• 2019 – Watco (new owner) indicated willingness to sell the TR line
• 2020 – The French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO) Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) 2045, adopted September 24, 2020, included this project as a recommended project.

Project Maps

To view or download project maps click on the maps below

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Project Funding:

        *Costs are subject to change. 

Project Timeline:

* Future dates subject to change. 

Comments:

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.

To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,

please submit before October 10, 2024.

The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

Email: ecustatrail@publicinput.com

Phone Number: 512-580-8850     enter project code 7054 to leave a message

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Lonnie Watkins

Project Manager

NCDOT Highway Division 14

4142 Haywood Road

Mills River, NC  28742

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Christy Staudt

Consultant Project Manager

Traffic Planning and Design, Inc.

80 Charlotte Street, Suite 40

Asheville, NC  28801

RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 

Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.  

     
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout      Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

English                                                                     Spanish

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