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51 <br /> O MST - Alamance County to Seven <br /> Mile Creek Natural Area <br /> Segment 4A (alternate 1 of 2) provides a road route corridor for the Mountains to Sea Trail between <br /> Alamance County and Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, using separation where feasible. This segment and 4B <br /> merge from Buckhorn Road south, consistent with the adopted MST route. <br /> PROJECT OVERVIEW Relevant Community Needs: <br /> Location Continuous wayfinding for through-hikers and <br /> Along local roads between the Alamance and local users <br /> Orange County line and Seven Mile Creek Natural Safer shoulder-free segments <br /> Area, with some of the route off-road south of Daytime visibility improvements <br /> Buckhorn Road; alignment to be finalized with Reliable MST routing until nature alignment is <br /> NCDOT/County/MST partners secured <br /> Key Connections Required Structures&Crossings: <br /> • Alamance County/West MST entrance Driveway/ditch work on narrow two-lane roads <br /> • Rural residential clusters Enhanced crossings at county road nodes <br /> • Seven Mile Creek Natural Area <br /> Potential Constructability Challenges: <br /> Total Length Many rural owners who have varying comfort <br /> —16 miles (planning length) with roadside paths <br /> • Limited shade/exposure in farm stretches <br /> Trail Type• Shared-use path (paved, separated) or natural Narrow shoulders along some of the roads <br /> • <br /> surface trail (gravel/aggregate); TBD <br /> • 10 ft typical width; 3-4 ft width south of merge point <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH ORANGE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN <br /> Environmental Protection ✓ Uses existing roadways to minimize disturbance <br /> & Climate Action where off-road routes are constrained <br /> Offers steady, predictable access for MST users and <br /> Healthy Community ✓ rural residents <br /> Housing for All Indirect Benefit Provides a safe non-auto option in areas with <br /> limited amenities <br /> Maintains MST continuity across county lines via a <br /> Multi-modal Transportation ✓ legible roadside route <br /> Public Education/ ✓ Enhances access to local nature-based learning via <br /> Learning Community MST signage and links <br /> Diverse &Vibrant Economy ✓ Can direct MST users toward rural businesses and <br /> agritourism nodes <br /> 48 Draft Orange County Trails Plan <br />