BURKE COUNTY, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A portion of the Fonta Flora State Trail in Burke County will be rerouted beginning in October as Duke Energy begins construction of the Fonta Flora Access Area on Lake James, officials said.
The detour will remain in place through the end of 2026. Trail users will still be able to access 0.4 miles in each direction leading to the construction zone to enjoy views of the lake, but must return to the designated detour, according to Duke Energy.
The temporary reroute is 0.5 miles long and will be marked with a red diamond blaze. Trail users will still be able to complete a loop, and no other sections of the trail will be affected. Hikers are advised to use caution at Eagle’s Nest Way Road crossings, where construction vehicles will be present.
The new access area will include a motorized boat launch, courtesy dock, parking, a section of the Fonta Flora Trail and restrooms. The project is designed to meet growing demand for lake access and recreational amenities in the region and is part of Duke Energy’s Catawba-Wateree Recreation Management Plan, approved by federal regulators in 2017.
“This project reflects our ongoing commitment to providing safe, equitable and high-quality recreational opportunities across the Catawba-Wateree system,” Ethan Pardue, recreation project manager at Duke Energy, said in a statement. “We’ve worked closely with local, state and federal stakeholders to ensure the Fonta Flora site meets both environmental standards and community needs.”
Once complete, Burke County will lease and maintain the site in partnership with Duke Energy and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
The project is one of 89 recreation improvements Duke Energy has planned over 20 years under its federal license for the Catawba-Wateree system. The upgrades span 11 reservoirs and include new access areas, trails, fishing piers and swim beaches.
