Some Homes Being Demolished To Make Room For New Turnpike

Houses have started coming down to make room for the new turnpike.

You'll remember the controversial highway is set to go in east of the metro but construction isn't supposed to start for a couple more years, so that's why the demolition came as such a surprise to those who live in the area.

“It was dramatic. It took about 15 minutes to take that entire home and put it in a truck and cart it away,” said Steve Maguire.

Maguire’s wife recorded the demolition after word quickly spread between neighbors that the house was coming down. 

“I think our first response was surprise. We didn’t think they were going to go at it so soon.”

Maguire says even the home's former owners didn't know the home was going to be demolished.

“Just a shock, a real big shock,” said Shirley Hawthorn.

Hawthorne lives just down the street. Part of the shock is because a group of neighbors have filed a lawsuit to stop the turnpike and that suit is still tied up in court. In addition, the courts have not validated the bonds needed to finance the project.

“So they’re already tearing down houses before they even have the money,” said Hawthorne.

A spokesperson for the Turnpike Authority, however, says this property and about eight others were already closed on or in the process of closing before the lawsuit was filed and OTA didn't want to back out of those deals. And once they have taken ownership they don't like to leave properties abandoned. 

Still, Hawthorne says this is a difficult sign of what may be to come.

“There were people here crying yesterday, it’s emotional. It’s a neighbor’s home, it affects you it’s not just your house.”

But Hawthorne and her neighbors vow this isn't the end of the road.

“It’s my land of 39 years. I’m going to fight for my home.”

A spokesperson for the Turnpike says because of the current legal challenges they are not negotiating on taking control of any other properties.