FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
February 10, 2012

Cary Completes Swift Creek-Regency Parkway Pedestrian Project

Cary, NC – On time and under budget, the Town of Cary has opened a pedestrian bridge and sidewalk addition near Regency Parkway in southern Cary. Specifically, the Swift Creek Greenway has been extended using a new 76-foot pedestrian bridge from Swift Creek to the intersection of Regency Parkway and Ederlee Drive; sidewalks have been added to the east side of Ederlee Drive from Peregrine Place to Regency Parkway and to the Regency Parkway bridge. The project was a part of the Town’s Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Facility Master Plan. A public dedication is being planned for this June in celebration of National Trails Day.

“These new pedestrian facilities will provide better connectivity to existing sidewalks, trails, neighborhood and shopping centers,” said Tom Ellis, Engineer. “Those enjoying the outdoors in this area will benefit from better access to Symphony Lake and safer access across Regency Parkway.”

Construction for the project was $480,000. The Town received a $299,000 federal SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act- A Legacy for Users) grant; the remaining balance was paid for by the Town’s General Fund. The Town had initially budgeted $565,000 for the project.

The Swift Creek Greenway is now a newly resurfaced 1.23-mile trail originally constructed in 1995. The trail runs along the northern border of Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve with a trailhead located at Ritter Park. The trail now connects to Symphony Lake and Koka Booth Amphitheatre to the west and Hemlock Bluffs to the east, filing a critical gap in the greenway system. For a complete list and map of outdoor recreation options, search “Parks and Greenways” at www.townofcary.org.

For information on this project, search “Swift Creek Greenway Project” at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4333.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: 
Tom Ellis, Engineer, (919) 469-4333
Paul Kuhn, Parks Senior Planner, (919) 469-4360
Deanna Boone, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Director, (919) 380-4240

RELATED LINKS:
Swift Creek- Regency Parkway Pedestrian Improvements Project