DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Plans are moving forward to convert abandoned train tracks into a trail for pedestrians and cyclists.

Those 18 miles of inactive rail lines within Durham County could soon be part of a 26-mile trail from downtown Durham to Roxboro.

The state is now giving $500,000 to Durham County for the development of the Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail Plan. Preliminary draft concepts are now public and organizers are hosting a set of community workshops, starting next week, to gather more input.

"This can link people in parts of Durham County to jobs downtown, so it's got an economic element," Durham city council member Carl Rist said. "There's certainly an important cultural element as you go north from Durham into sort of more rural Durham County into Roxboro."

Out of nearly 3,

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