Clayton public works closes Greenway Bridge 6 for repairs; staff outlines trail maintenance plan

The Town of Clayton’s public works department told the council it closed a major greenway bridge for repairs and is stepping up trail maintenance work while the town improves emergency access along the trail corridor.

Brandon, the town’s grounds superintendent, said public works took responsibility for Clayton’s greenway trails from Parks and Recreation on about July 1 and is working with new equipment to clear overgrowth, improve sight lines and maintain larger trees. "On the first day we took over, the trail flooded," Brandon said, and the department used the town’s Notify Me system to warn roughly 60 registered users of closures and hazards.

Brandon said the town met with an area manager from the Triangle Land Conservancy to coordinate work on roughly 100 acres of connectivity from Smithfield Road into Wake County. That partnership will allow the town to widen a portion of trail across conservancy property to provide better access for emergency vehicles from the Charleston Drive trail to the Wake County line, Brandon said.

The department also briefed the council on an extensive repair of Bridge 6 over the Neuse River. "We're gonna replace all the decking on the landings," Brandon said, and crews will replace planks on the bridge and approaches. He estimated the closure would last approximately three weeks depending on contractor schedules, and said ground staff plans winter work to clear vegetation and improve the trail ahead of spring 2026.

To notify users, Brandon said the town posted on Parks and Recreation social media channels, used the Notify Me system, and placed street message boards at trailhead parking lots; one billboard was positioned about a half-mile before the closure to give earlier notice for Wake County users.

Council members praised the work. A council member who uses the trail said the vegetation clearing improved safety and sight lines for cyclists who ride long distances on the corridor. Council member Casey asked about alternate notifications; Brandon described the multiple channels the town used.

Brandon said the town hopes to reopen the bridge sooner than three weeks if contractors complete work faster, and added the department will continue corridor improvements into the winter to reduce future interruptions.