The American Tobacco Trail runs through the city of Durham south to the Chatham county line, crossing over I-40 near The Streets at Southpoint mall.

A pedestrian bridge was erected over I-40 in April 2013, connecting the northern and southern segments of the Durham County portion of the trail, but due to construction errors, did not open until February 2014.

[4] In the 1970s the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Jordan Lake reservoir in Chatham County necessitating the relocation of a large portion of the tracks.

The project's early stages, beginning with a $2,500 grant, involved extensive planning led by Greenways Incorporated and collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), local governments, and various organizations.

In 1994, TRTC leadership passed to Tom Mappes, who coordinated planning efforts to address trail design challenges, such as the I-40 “gap” and widening standards.

Advocacy from Leslie Kennedy and the NC Horse Council led to the construction of a tunnel under US Hwy 64 to maintain the trail's continuity in Wake County.

Sig Hutchinson and the Triangle Greenways Council envisioned a connected network of trails, incorporating the ATT as a key segment.

TRTC continues to advocate for the ATT and related projects, including the Timberlake and Duke Beltline Corridors, expanding recreational and transportation opportunities in the region.