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~a back herald Compromise to replace Eno Drive By C.D. KIRKPATRICK, The Herald-Sun Apri18, 2003 7:41 pm DURHAM --Before this week is over, the controversial Eno Drive connector could be obliterated from state law and replaced with a road that does not come near Eno State Park or the Eno River. Legislation passed the state Senate and should pass the state House this week that reflects a community compromise made with the state Department of Transportation over the route of the road. The bill would also unlock about $200 million in transportation taxes set aside for the original Eno Drive in the Highway Trust Fund, a special pot of money for road projects around the state. Opponents of the original Eno Drive -- conceived and would o low through e tabDshed neighborhoodslin was unnecessary, would damage the environment p northern Durham as it headed toward Eno State Park. Supporters of the original road, such as the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, said it was integral to Durham's future growth. Without it, traffic would worsen and businesses would not locate in Treyburn Corporate Park or other northern Durham locales, they argued. The bill describes the "Revised Northern Durham Parkway" and also includes improvements to existing roads as part of the project. Under the bill, the millions set aside just for the loop could be used for a host of projects, including upgrading U.S. 70 to afaster-moving freeway. Lori Olson, executive director of the Eno River Association, said the bill and compromise on Eno Drive protects the environment while addressing traffic needs. "I think the bill is a good thing and a wonderful step toward ending the 30-year-old controversy that is Eno Drive. We support the community compromise and feel it's the solution that provides the most protections of the environment," she said. The bill is a boon for local leaders, most of whom had fought against Eno Drive but wanted to keep the transportation money. State Rep. Paul Luebke, one of the sponsors of the bill, called the millions in the Highway Trust Fund "our money." "The bill's a big success," he said. He said the decades-old deadlock broke once all sides realized each would have to bend toward compromise. That critical moment c P rkwa puwlas re'ect dlby the N.C Deparhnent of Transportat on loop, (the ongmal Northern Durham y), J at a public hearing with more than 200 vocal Durham residents. 4/9/2003 3:20 PM 1 of 2