Orange County NC Website
9 <br />1 the record. In essence she voiced OWASA's concern about possible <br />2 effects of the proposed project on the quality of Cane Creek and <br />3 University Lake water supply reservoirs. OWASA is concerned about the <br />4 direct effects of the construction work itself, and about the longer <br />5 term effects of increased traffic and subsequent activities that may <br />6 follow the project. A copy of the complete letter is in the permanent <br />7 agenda file in the Clerk's Office. <br />8 <br />9 JANE KELLY, purchased and restored an old home on NC 54. She <br />10 spoke in opposition of the proposed widening of NC 54 stating it would <br />11 destroy her property. She questioned why North Carolina is first in <br />12 highway construction and last in education. <br />13 <br />14 MIRIAM MURDOCK spoke in opposition of widening NC 54. She <br />15 agreed with all the environmental concerns stating that not only would <br />16 this destroy homes but it is most inappropriate at this time. The State <br />17 cannot afford it and it is no time for more highways and more cars. <br />18 Funds should be diverted to more needed social and educational things. <br />19 She suggested a rail line between Chapel Hill and Burlington as an <br />20 alternative means of travel. She asked that the Board not encourage <br />21 more automobiles. She feels the widening of NC 54 is not inevitable and <br />22 stated that now is the time to stop this proposal. <br />23 <br />24 HENRY WILSON, owner of Wilson and Staples Auto Service, <br />25 stated that this widening would take his business. He expressed a <br />26 concern about the people who may be hurt by this widening. He approves <br />27 of money being spent on public transportation. <br />28 <br />29 JAMES ASBAUGH stated that when 54 was redone in the 70's, <br />30 money was allocated in 1956. If DOT had thought it through then, they <br />31 would have changed some things at that time instead of doing it now. <br />32 He questioned the traffic count of 6,000 vehicles per day and asked when <br />33 that count was conducted -- before Highway 40 was opened or after. He <br />34 feels this is a shortcut for trucks and widening would increase traffic <br />35 on NC 54 and create a need for a weigh station. He noted that Southern <br />36 Bell has a fiber- -optic line along NC 54 which would need to be moved for <br />37 the widening. Also, one of the main feeders to University Lake would <br />38 have to be crossed. The widening of NC 54 will cause more runoff and <br />39 erosion of the land. He feels the intersection of Fayetteville Road and <br />40 NC 54 is dangerous and needs to be studied for a solution. <br />41 <br />42 PETER TODD, member of the Sierra Club and Orange County <br />43 Greens, made reference to a transportation study done by TJCOG. This <br />44 study points our the need for all governments to work together to <br />45 -coordinate their transportation needs. He advocates that no action be <br />46 taken before 1992. This would give all the governing bodies time to <br />47 respond to the land use issues. He referred to an EDC target advisory <br />48 group which advocated development of Highway 54. He feels this would <br />49 encourage sprawl and further promote congestion and increase air, water <br />50 and soil pollution. Another primary concern is that Highway 54 goes <br />51 through several feeders of the University Lake Watershed. He does not <br />52 feel this project is financially prudent. The highway fund is projected <br />