Some people living in Morrisvile are hoping to stop the expansion of Airport Boulevard before the project even begins. Many told WRAL News they are concerned about the risk to local wildlife and nearby schools the expansion may have.
“There are a lot of residents in the neighborhood that like to walk, that like to bike. And we really don’t want to increase traffic around the schools. It’s also going to increase noise and I think it brings in safety issues,” said Maureen Legardia, who lives nearby.
Phase 1 of the expansion of Airport Blvd in Morrisville is scheduled to begin in less than 4 months.
Legaria along with other concerned neighbors created an online petition hoping to put an end to the project. She went around her community passing out flyers, and told WRAL News many people she spoke with were unaware the project was scheduled.
“We’ve actually seen that a lot of residents are not even aware that this construction is happening.” Legaria said. “I mean, they are surprised.”
WRAL spoke to Morrisville Town Manager Brandon Zuidema, who said the town is working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the project has been in the works for a long time. Unfortunately, like most things the pandemic delayed the project.
“There was a virtual session that was held back in April 2021 at the time that this was thought to be a little closer to construction, but of course Covid impacted that particularly with budget and things, and now it is moving forward,” Zuidema said.
Though Zuidema said he understands if some residents were not involved in the feedback sessions that took place years ago, and encourages residents to reach out to city administration with questions and concerns.
“It’s an important connector in terms of just crosstown connectivity and it’s going to enhance our pedestrian mobility and it’s going to create safe pedestrian movement,” Zuidema said.
He hopes in time people in the area will see how beneficial the project will be to the community.