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Beatties Ford widening project creates muddy mess for west Charlotte homeowner

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Beatties Ford widening project is creating a mess for a west Charlotte homeowner. Don Riley said his 100-year-old mother’s front yard was completely dug up and he can’t get to the mailbox.

“I can only do so much myself I’m 77-years-old,” said Riley.

Riley has been a Charlotte resident his entire life, growing up on Beatties Ford.

“I tell people I’m related to half of Mecklenburg County, the original half,” he said.

Riley said he has seen construction on the road before, but never like this.

“They dug up the whole driveway which was all gravel,” he said. “It’s dangerous for me, impossible for my mother to get down here and get her mail.”

Piles of dirt and mud cover his mother’s front yard. On rainy days, he said it’s difficult to get to the mailbox.

“As you can see it drains out into the road anytime it rains. I can’t go around it anyway,” he said. “The only way to get to the mailbox when it’s wet or has rained within a day or so is to get out and walk down Beatties Ford road and the traffic this time of day is bumper to bumper.”

Riley reached out to the project manager listed on the city’s website but hasn’t heard back.

“Nobody seems to care. They don’t seem to acknowledge the problem,” he said.

Channel 9′s Erin Edwards also reached out to the city.

“All construction work is being done within the right of way and the construction easement that the City acquired from the property owners. Access to the property is being maintained at all times,” said Imad Fakhreddin, the senior project manager working the Beatties Ford widening project. “I have not heard any complained from the property owner in order to respond. Construction will be completed in June this year.”

Channel 9 did receive several emails Riley sent to Fakhreddin over the past several weeks. Riley said they have all gone unanswered.

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