New roads let residents leave the area, but hamper travel within it

Hoffman recalls Mars Hill as it was when he was young. It was difficult to reach towns like Chapel Hill because of the state of the roads, but it was easy to travel around the county on bicycles. The construction of I-26 meant increased access outside of the county, but decreased access within it. Hoffman says that development prevents him from letting his children explore the area like he did when he was a child.