Proposed security fence for RDU Airport not sitting well with users of nearby park – WRAL.com

By Bryan Mims, WRAL News reporter

Raleigh, N.C. Groups fighting plans for a rock quarry on land owned by the Raleigh-Durham International Airport are now protesting the plan to build a border fence.

The groups say the fence will close a popular access point to William B. Umstead State Park. RDU officials said the groups have been spreading misinformation.

For several years, signs reading "Stop RDU Quarry" have stood along the trail. In March, the RDU Airport Authority gave the go-ahead. Now, airport officials want a border fence in the area. They say it's for enhanced security and to keep trespassers off their land.

That set off dueling YouTube videos.

The first YouTube video came from a group called RDU Forest, which has been fighting to stop the expansion of the rock quarry on airport land. In the video, bicyclist Matt Thompson said RDU plans to block the Old Reedy Creek Road trail in two places with a fence.

The trail, well-used by hikers and cyclists, provides access from a parking area in Cary to Umstead State Park.

The second video came Monday from the airport. In it, the vice president of communications, Crystal Feldman, said that the airport has a request for bids to design fencing around airport property. She said Umstead State Park informed the airport that this road, built decades ago, runs through a corner of RDU land.

But what would that look like?

Airport spokeswoman Stephanie Hawco said it's likely the road would be realigned or built around the fence, but park access will not be blocked.

In a written statement, she said "activists are spreading misinformation" as "scare tactics."

Jeff Wald uses the trail regularly. What bothers him is the prospect of a tall, chain link fence on either side of the Reedy Creek access road.

"Still, this park is a beautiful gem for North Carolina," Wald said. "And do you want to welcome people to the park with a barbed wire tunnel? And that's what will be at the airport overlook and what will be at the entire entrance here."

An airport spokeswoman said the cost estimate for the fence is about $2.4 million. She said it's early in the process and the airport authority has not voted on any plans.

Visit link:
Proposed security fence for RDU Airport not sitting well with users of nearby park - WRAL.com