Indian Trail woman files lawsuit to stop Monroe Bypass

INDIAN TRAIL, N.C.,None — An Indian Trail woman says plans for the Monroe bypass will hurt access to her charity, which helps thousands of needy people.

She is one of seven people who hired an attorney before construction starts this August.

Joy McGuire showed Eyewitness News the donations she stores in tents outside her home as part of her charity "With Love From Jesus."

She said she's worried donations will suffer because of one specific part of the Monroe bypass.

"It's not going to be so quick anymore and it will be a big inconvenience," she said.

The bypass would start at Highway 74 and I-485 and end at Highway 74 just after Wingate.

An interchange would be just up the road from McGuire's charity, and in plans, her problem is clear.

A median would block donors from turning left in front of her house. Instead, they'd have to go past the interchange to turn around-- what McGuire calls a hassle.

"I have a lot of traffic from Matthews, Weddington, Minerals Springs, and the Waxhaw area," she said.

NCDOT officials said Monday that plans are still preliminary, though certain changes could be difficult. They are welcoming comments from the public online at www.monroeconnector-bypass.com and at their field office in Indian Trail.

"The comments will be reviewed by the project team to determine if a change is feasible and cost effective," Jane Nelson, NCDOT medians are being utilized to minimize the requirements for controlled access and impacts to properties."

But McGuire has already hired an attorney.

"They could stop the median on the other side of her property back here and it wouldn't affect her," attorney Ann Pilkington said, gesturing up Indian Trail Fairview Road. "They could do that and still meet their guidelines."

"I really hope they don't bring that median through here, it will impact this and thousands of others," McGuire said.

Pilkington is also representing six other residents who will be losing some property to the bypass.

She said she is working to ensure McGuire and others get a fair offer on their land.

WSOC