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Raleigh Greenway System Still Feeling Effects From Alberto

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Additional rain could create more problems for Raleigh's trail system.

Alberto's remnants left extensive damage behind, and the effort to clean up and repair the greenway system is under way.

A week and a half after Tropical Storm Alberto, the water has receded and most trails are open, but the extent of the flooding and damage is apparent.

A section of greenway under Atlantic Avenue is washed out and closed off. A line of mud on the trees around Shelley Lake shows how far the water rose during the storm. Debris lines the trails.

"It appears we're looking at tens of thousands of dollars of damage," said Vic Lebsock, Raleigh park and greenway planner.

Three sections of the greenway system are unsafe and remain closed. They include a two-mile stretch along Crabtree Creek west of Raleigh Boulevard to Oxford Drive. A section of the Gardner Street Trail south of Wade Avenue is off-limits as well as a section of the Rocky Branch Trail near Western Boulevard.

"There are bridges and boardwalks that are structurally affected. It's not safe and that's why we install the barricades," Lebsock said. "We are working diligently to get all the trails in good use so that everyone can use them, so just bear with us while we do that."

The Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department hopes to complete most of the repairs in the next two weeks. In the meantime, officials are urging residents to stay off closed sections.

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