HISTORIC SPEEDWAY GROUP
The Historic Speedway Group Supports the "NO BUILD" Alternative
Alternate Route 3 - Puts Bridge over Speedway
and destroys this National Historic Landmark
Alternate Route 4
Alternate Route 6
A Petition is available for RESIDENTS of the State of North Carolina to view and sign at the Following Locations in Orange County, NC.
If you are a Business Owner in Orange County, North Carolina and would allow The Historic Speedway Group to place a PETITION at
your Business Location for RESIDENTS to View & Sign, please contact the Historic Speedway Group historicspeedwaygroup@yahoo.com
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Statues and Session Law 136-62 Right of Petition of North Carolina, the undersign citizens have the
right to petition the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
concerning additions to the system and improvements to roads, and the BOCC shall recieve such petitions and foward them to the BOARD OF
TRANSPORTATION with their recommendations;
Current PETITION LOCATIONS: The Quickie Mart, 255 S. Churton St., Hillsborough, NC 27278
Talbert's M-Mart Food Store, 225 Mt. Willing Rd, Efland, NC 27243
Below is a reference article about the proposed BY-PASS {project U3803}
Hillsborough Bypass / Elizabeth Brady Road Extension: Anatomy of a political nightmare
The extension of Elizabeth Brady Road to provide the town of Hillsborough with a truck route around the central business district originated over twenty years ago. Since its origin, the plan has been mired in local conflict that is now spreading to larger and more powerful interest groups. The plan itself is now obsolete, but the state persistently revisits the deeply unpopular project in spite of the fact that the best policy would be to take the proposal off the map. In the view of its opponents, no compelling case for the purpose and need of the project has ever been articulated by the town, the town planner, or any other public official.
There are currently three routes under consideration,
From a political standpoint, the most explosive route (4) would be through the current Mountain View Subdivision that would require the demolition of at least a dozen private homes in the suburb blighting the entire area of 100 or more private residences, deflating property values and dislocating a substantial cluster of families some of whom have lived in their homes for 50 years. Over 500 people would be adversely affected by bankruptcy, appreciable losses of capital and a devastating loss of the quality of their lives. This route would obliterate a conservation area rich in flora and fauna on the bank of the Eno River that is owned by Classic American Homes Preservation Trust.
The route over the ridge (5) would wreak havoc with the delicate ecology and destroy the natural beauty of Poplar Ridge, a rich wildlife corridor along one of the most pristine stretches of the Eno River.
The route through the Occoneechee/Orange Speedway (3) would demolish a major cultural and historic site that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the last surviving 1 mile dirt track from Nascar’s inaugural 1949 season. In addition, this route would blight the view from Ayr Mount, a major landmark that is also on the National Register of Historic Places, destroying the ambience and thereby much of the public appeal of the important 18th century site.
Political problems for the Elizabeth Brady Road project are abundant:
- Last year, the Historic Speedway Group rallied 40,000 strong on the site, and new construction is presently underway to restore the racing venue to its former glory for a massive gathering on September 27th of this year.
- A petition to stop the extension of Elizabeth Brady road is now in circulation, and it has already been signed by over 600 people.
- The Eno River Association is opposed to the project.
- Local archeologists have determined that there are significant Native American artifacts and sites within the scope of the project.
- Local media are well aware of the controversy of the plan and are in routine contact with its principal opponents who are eager to ignite a public debate.
SUMMARY – Facing strong opposition from historic preservation interests, environmentalists, local residents, archeologists, organized NASCAR enthusiasts, as well as prominent present and former local officials, the extension of Elizabeth Brady Road is a political and environmental nightmare. J. Douglas Galyon, Chairman of the North Carolina Board of Transportation, should veto this project and drive a stake through its proverbial heart – in effect, taking it off the map permanently.
Michael Carmichael
