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Residents press commissioners on Highway 62 safety, threatened park sale and county budget strains
Summary
Multiple residents urged action on a dangerous stretch of Highway 62, asked the county to help preserve a small Graham park up for auction, and relayed concerns about lost benefits and housing instability tied to recent budget decisions.
Several residents used the public comment period Monday to press the Alamance County commissioners on local safety, preservation and economic hardship.
Charles Gupton, who lives near Burlington, urged the board to press N.C. Department of Transportation to lower the speed limit on a curving stretch of Highway 62 from 45 to 35, saying sight lines fall short of DOT standards and heavy truck traffic creates frequent near misses. "I've requested that they lower the speed limit in that section to 35 from 45," Gupton said, and added his count recorded "over 400 large vehicles" at the intersection on some days.
Deborah Marshall and Mark Payne, both residents on or near Highway 62, described limited sight distance at a location they called Blind Hills and a nearby intersection where construction traffic and large trucks make turning dangerous. Marshall asked the county to consider a 'Blind Hills' warning sign and noted a 300‑home subdivision planned nearby that will increase traffic.
On another issue, Denise Heckman asked whether the county could help citizens save Sesquicentennial Park in Graham after the city voted to auction the land. The board said the property is city‑owned and the county does not control Graham's decisions, but commissioners suggested staff could look into options, including the county purchasing the parcel at public sale.
Ramona Allen relayed concerns from county employees about lost benefits and from residents struggling to pay taxes and keep homes after recent budget cuts, urging commissioners to prioritize services for vulnerable families.
Chair and commissioners responded by saying staff will assist with approaching NCDOT regarding the Highway 62 safety concerns, and that options exist for parks and property acquisition though any purchase would follow public‑sale procedures and budget constraints.
