From Staff Reports

LAUREL PARK, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Transportation, in coordination with Henderson County and the Town of Laurel Park, “will implement two Ecusta Trail closures this year as part of a project to modernize and improve traffic flow on neighboring U.S. 64,” NCDOT announced in a June 3 news release.

The Ecusta Trail will close where it intersects White Pine Drive for up to 30 days, starting July 6. A similar 30-day closure will occur this fall at the intersection with Daniel Drive. 

The trail closure is being coordinated with a transportation project “to improve congestion and safety on U.S. 64 in Laurel Park resulting in improved facilities for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and trail users,” the release noted.

During the closure, a roundabout will be constructed along U.S. 64 and the trail will be raised 6 feet in elevation. 

“We were excited to help develop the Ecusta Trail, and have the same enthusiasm for U.S. 64 improvements,” Division 14 Engineer Wesley Grindstaff said in the release. “We have worked with Henderson County and other stakeholders to consider various options to minimize the impacts of these closures. We all feel the best move forward is to complete all the trail work in two operations instead of multiple short-term closures.”

After the trail reopens at the intersection of White Pine Drive, road construction will continue for up to another 35 days to finish roundabout construction and raise White Pine Drive more than 6 feet to the same elevation as U.S. 64 and the trail. U.S. 64 will remain open with intermittent lane closures during construction.

Specific dates for construction at the Daniel Drive intersections with the trail and U.S. 64 will be determined after construction is complete at White Pine Drive. 

“The Ecusta Trail opened in the summer of 2025 accommodating more than 7,000 combined pedestrians and cyclist,” the release stated. “Its modern development has been a collaborative effort of community volunteers, nonprofit partners, and local and state governments who share a vision of a corridor that will connect us all.”