Winston-Salem moves forward with plans to expand Long Branch Trail

Winston-Salem is moving forward with plans to expand Long Branch Trail, a greenway that runs through downtown. 

The multi-use paved path, which opened in 2018, runs from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive through the Innovation Quarter to Salem Creek Greenway — a total of about 1.7 miles. 

The project would extend the path 1.2 miles north across Martin Luther King Jr. Drive along an inactive rail line to 25th Street. 

“When I first got on Council, some national publication criticized us for the lack of connectivity and walking and greenway spaces that we had," said Winston-Salem City Councilmember Jeff MacIntosh. "The strides that we have made since I've been on Council have been remarkable. And really this project just continues to stretch the boundaries of where downtown goes.”

The expansion is funded via a federal transportation grant won by the city in 2019. In a preliminary vote at Monday’s Council meeting, members moved to award the $1 million engineering and design contract to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Final approval will take place at the September 3 meeting.