The UNC Board of Trustees last week approved the purchase of a parcel of land off Merritt Mill Road adjacent to the university’s railroad corridor for $3.5 million.

The majority of the 8.44-acre property is located in Carrboro, while about one acre is located in Chapel Hill.

According to a UNC Board of Trustees agenda, the university has long held interest in acquiring the property in order to locate additional spur lines to stage railcars that supply coal and materials to the university’s cogeneration facility on Cameron Avenue and to provide opportunities for alternate fuel delivery in the future.

In addition, the acquisition of the property could also facilitate the university’s long-range plans for the addition of a passenger rail line and possibly a transit station.