INDIAN TRAIL – N.C. Department of Transportation contract crews are moving into another phase of a $9.5 million project to convert four conventional intersections with traffic lights along U.S. 74 into superstreets – a type of roadway design where side-street traffic is redirected into turning right onto the main corridor.
The superstreet design, which the department is using more commonly around the state, improves safety by reducing the chance for intersection crashes. The design also decreases travel time on the main corridor with more green time at the traffic signals.
In June, crews modified traffic patterns at the U.S. 74 intersections with Faith Church Road and Wesley Chapel Stouts/Sardis Road so they could pour concrete median islands. Drivers who wanted to turn left from U.S. 74 onto the side roads had to continue straight to a designated U-turn location, then proceed in the opposite direction to reach their destinations.
A new traffic pattern that opened last night now allows drivers on U.S. 74 to turn left directly onto Faith Church Road. In the next few weeks, the same traffic pattern should be in place at the intersection with Wesley Chapel Stouts Road/Sardis Road.
Transportation officials remind motorists to drive safely, obey all posted speed limits and work-zone postings.
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