Following DOT and other regulatory standards during the construction of Phase 1 of the Ecusta Trail helped mitigate the destruction caused by Helene along the trail. That was the message delivered at the Henderson County RTAC meeting on November 13.

Henderson County Engineer Marcus Jones and Assistant County Manager  Christopher Todd led the discussion of the impacts of storm damage to the trial and current progress. While the Henderson County Phase 1 portion of the trail suffered nearly $400,000 in damage, the damage was constrained by all the extensive drainage, stream bed, and trail foundation work done before the storm struck.

In addition, since the trail was constructed to DOT and other regulatory standards, the cost of the repairs should be covered by FEMA.  Even the application process (with partnership and guidance from DOT) has been streamlined due to compliance to the higher standards.

Phase 2 of the trail, also known as Ecusta West, also saw extensive damage and is currently being formally assessed. Preliminary feedback is the damage most likely can be remediated within the existing budget because only basic preparatory work had been completed on that section.

Because of the repairs and reprioritization of resources, it is currently estimated that completion of Phase 1, which had been on schedule for November, will be delayed two to three months.

TPD, who is handling the planning and design of the trail, will also assess the Transylvania County/Brevard section. It is already known that one bridge that had previously planned to be reused suffered extensive damage and will now need to be replaced.

Mark Tooley, president of Friends of Ecusta Trail (FOET), updated plans for the reveal of a new Ecusta Trail logo, as well as re-launching the website.  He also announced naming opportunities for six bridges in Phase 1, consistent with existing naming guidance provided by the Hendersonville Parks & Recreation Department.

Hunter Marks of Watermark Landscape & Planning reported that the installation of amenities will be delayed. Plans for trail markers  – which will be placed every half mile – benches, bike racks and bike repair stations, as well as landscape buffers and fences, were reviewed.

Marks said his company is also responding to concerns about parking for trail access. There are plans to develop parking at five locations within the trail right-of-way, although these are going to be limited by the availability of space.

A draft of the Trail Etiquette/Rules is being circulated among the committee for review and comment. A discussion is planned for the next committee meeting to approve and finalize them.

Longer term, the committee is working with Henderson County as well as the municipal authorities along the trail to create what is known as a “zoning overlay.” This overlay is intended to help all the various local governmental planning entities to have a unified approach to developing land use plans along the trail corridor with the goal that business, residential and trail use can be as harmonious and complementary as possible. It was noted that trail access is not governed by the zoning overlay, but by the Trail Policy Agreement which is administered by the county. Controlling trail access is important for safety as well as efficient traffic flow.

Mark Miller