CONCORD, N.C. -- A new asphalt plant will be built off Weddington Road in Concord despite opposition from local residents.
Nearly 100 people attended Tuesday night's city council meeting, saying they're concerned about how the noise, smell and traffic from the plant will affect their homes.
“I haul asphalt, asphalt stinks,” said Tony Bonds, a concerned neighbor. “I only use it on one truck because the truck stinks.”
Council approved the plant and officials from Martin Marietta, the plant's owner, said residents are overestimating the negative impact.
“I don't think they're going to hear it. I don't think they're going to smell it. I don't think they're going to see it. A lot of them won't know it's there,” said Paxton Badham, Martin Marietta environmental services vice president.
Martin Marietta already owns the rock quarry on which the plant will be built.