The CoGen Project: A look at the rail line transformation project in Orange County

Last week, the Town of Chapel Hill signed an agreement to enter the pre-planning phase of the CoGen Transformation Project. Orange County and the Town of Carrboro have signed onto the agreement as well. 

What is the CoGen Transformation Project and what is the project’s purpose? 

The CoGen Transformation Project is a multi-jurisdictional plan to convert a 10-mile stretch of railroad into parcels of land for development and a trail for bikes and pedestrians.

This stretch of railroad runs through Chapel Hill, Carrboro and southern Orange County. Its purpose is transporting coal to the Chapel Hill cogeneration plant, which utilizes natural gas and coal to power campus facilities. 

Carrboro Town Council Member Catherine Fray said that historically, rail lines required large safety barriers on mostly flat land. However, Fray said, when rail lines go out of service, it’s easy to transform them into walking trails to better utilize the space. 

N.C. State Sen. Graig Meyer (D - Caswell, Orange, Person) said transforming the rail line would also make it easier to develop large parcels of land. 

“That will open up, really, the biggest possibilities for economic development, housing and community development in southern Orange County that we'll ever have again,” Meyer said. 

In the late 1800s, the rail provided a shuttle service for students and goods, Fray said. They added that the historical use of the line influences the vision for its future use. 

“So just as it used to connect Carrboro, be it for industrial or commercial efforts, we're hoping that it can connect Carrboro’s people and Carrboro’s visitors to all the opportunities of the region,” Fray said. 

The Town of Chapel Hill's Complete Community Strategy also stands to benefit from the potential of housing and retail development on the transformed rail line, Meyer said. 

“The vision of complete communities is that we want attractive, residential opportunities that are connected through a variety of transportation means, walking, biking, busing in integrated ways,” Chapel Hill Town Council Member Theodore Nollert said.

Who is involved in the project?

In order for the project to move past the pre-planning phase, all involved parties must sign a memorandum. 

The Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and Orange County each signed a memorandum of understanding committing to a long-term planning process for the transformation of the rail line — leaving the University as the only missing signature. 

However, Meyer said he believes the University will sign the agreement.

“It's in their best interest to be at the table and working collaboratively on this with everyone else,” Meyer said. 

The Daily Tar Heel is awaiting comment from UNC Media Relations.

The Central Pines Regional Council and Southern Environmental Law Center joined the project to support and represent all involved jurisdictions, as well as apply for planning grants, Meyer said. 

Meyer said the Metropolitan Planning Organization is a potential partner and source of funding for the planning stage, offering financing for the process so long as the Towns match 20 percent of their funding. 

Additionally, the North Carolina Railroad Corporation has already committed $50,000 to the project, Meyer said. 

Both Fray and Meyer pointed to the CoGen Transformation project dually encouraging a transition away from coal burning in the region and the building of more dense, walkable communities. 

What is the timeline for the project's completion? 

The timeline of the transformation depends on when the University stops burning coal to power the cogeneration plant, Fray said.

The transformation project is in the pre-planning process to plan and strategize the usage of land adjacent to the line, which cannot be developed or used by pedestrians while the rail is in use. 

“The University has plans to eventually transition away from coal and close down that CoGen plant,” Fray said. 

Overall, Nollert said there are no losers in this project. 

“That's when it's really exciting to be a part of government, is when you find a vision that's about working together to do something that just helps people,” Nollert said. 

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