Residents urge council to halt Phase 1 Airport Boulevard expansion, citing canopy loss and school-safety risks

Two residents used the Morrisville Speaks public-comment period to urge council action on the Phase 1 Airport Boulevard project.

Maureen Legaria said her advocacy group opposes Phase 1, arguing the project will reduce tree canopy, increase impervious surface and stormwater runoff, create heat islands near schools and fail to adequately represent non-English-speaking residents in prior outreach. She asked council to halt the Phase 1 expansion and divert funding to the McCrimmon Parkway project, which she described as a less damaging congestion-relief alternative.

Sherry Roche said she lives on Meeting Hall Drive and described morning and afternoon traffic problems at two elementary schools—Cedar Fork Elementary and a Montessori school—where parents, walkers and bicyclists face dangerous conditions. Roche warned that converting a nearby road to a 45 mph design while school zones remain 25 mph will increase risks for children who walk or bike to school and said removing trees will worsen heat problems in classrooms already struggling with air conditioning.

Town staff accepted offers to receive full written comments by email and said they would read submitted materials into the record as needed. Councilmembers asked staff for updates on the project’s status and timelines; no formal council action on the Airport Boulevard project was taken at the meeting.