I don’t understand why the U.S. 1 bypass was put on the NCDOT agenda for Moore County in 2005, and why Ted Vaden, deputy secretary for internal and external affairs, says there is “no route on a map now,” and then goes on to say that “this is a long-range plan.”

Why would anyone want to deliberately divert potential buyers around Southern Pines and Aberdeen and the many merchants that line U.S. 1? Take a look at the traffic right now. It is mostly local Moore County people going from one place of business to another or to their homes. It isn’t people looking for a fast route to Rockingham, Raleigh or South of the Border.

And why run an unnecessary four-lane highway through some of the most beautiful and pristine country, which the state has already designated as a “significant Natural Heritage Area”? And which includes the donated 4200-acre Walthour-Moss Foundation containing a 180-acre protected wetland mitigation tract that NCDOT itself donated to the Foundation to perpetuate the unique ecosystem and its users and inhabitants?

Scores of people donated money to this cause. And the local inhabitants paid very good money for their adjacent properties and responsibly pay their taxes each year. There are property owners out there who moved here for the equestrian opportunities, and the quality of the lifestyle that the thousands of golfers came here to enjoy because of Pinehurst and 20 other courses. Try running an N.C. 5 bypass through Pinehurst No. 2 and see what happens.

While I do not ride, I have had my children and grandchildren out there many times for recreational riding and to view some of the training and trials. It is scenic, serene and a heritage that should be preserved unblemished by concrete, guardrails, and tourist traps.

Timothy J. Kovar, Jr.

Whispering Pines