City wants exit to remain open

CONOVER, N.C. -- The message is clear, “Keep exit 131 open” reads a sign. Police and firefighters claim the state is putting lives at risk by closing exit 131 along Interstate 40.

"It boils down to homes that could be on fire,” said Conover Fire Chief Mark Hinson.

According to the fire chief, emergency response times have been delayed by as much as eight minutes since the North Carolina Department of Transportation closed the ramps last summer.

“Three or four minutes could make the difference in someone dying of a heart attack or not dying of a heart attack,” Hinson added.

The state is preparing to turn exits 131 along I-40 into grassy areas. That's because NCDOT built a new exit nearby. Exit 131 is apparently too close to the new one according to regulations.

"That guideline is for a two-lane interstate, four-lane interstate,” said Conover Police Chief Gary Lafone. “This is a six lane. We think this should be an exception."

Some businesses near exit 131 claim they’re hurting too.

"We see a drop in business but I don't see a reason why they can't keep both exists open,” said cook Michael Sigmond of Café Rendezvous. “We have exits near each other all along the interstate.”

Café Rendezvous has cut staff and cutback restaurant hours.

“Now, they (customers) have to go out of their way to come into our restaurant,” Sigmond added.

Tuesday afternoon, about 50 firefighters, police officers, and citizens protested in front of the now barricaded interstate exit.

NCDOT did not respond to our request for comment.