NORTH WILKESBORO — The crash rate on Rockford Street in Mount Airy is unacceptable, and state transportation officials want the public’s help to reduce crashes.
The N.C. Department of Transportation will present designs of a proposed project to reduce crashes, increase safety and improve pedestrian facilities on U.S. 601 in Surry County at a public meeting from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Reeves Community Center, 113 South Renfro St., Mount Airy.
This superstreet from U.S. 52 to Forrest Drive would re-direct left turns and across-the-highway movements. Side street travelers who want to cross or turn left would need to first turn right and then make a U-turn at a safe location to return to their desired route. More than 240 crashes occurred on this stretch of U.S. 601 in a four-year period, including three fatalities and three pedestrian crashes.
The project, first submitted by the Northwest Piedmont RPO and supported by local officials, would increase safety by adding a median and superstreet intersections as well as sidewalks on both sides of the road.
Concept designs were shared at a public meeting in March. Since then, the design team has incorporated suggestions from citizens and continued to refine the design. The team has reduced impacts at several locations, and the new maps will show driveways, right-of-way boundaries, and the limits of construction.
Superstreets improve travel time, mobility and safety by limiting left turns and reducing the possibility of T-bone and head-on crashes.
NCDOT officials invite everybody to the meeting in the Kids Club Room of Reeves Community Center at any time. Transportation officials will be available to answer questions and listen to comments regarding the project.
All comments received will be taken into consideration as the project develops. Comments may be submitted at the meeting, by phone, or by mail, or email until Nov. 30.
Project information and materials can be viewed as they become available on the
NCDOT website.
Contact Desiree Hagwood, NCDOT Division 11 Design Engineer at P.O. Box 250 Statesville Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, or 336-903-9129 or dlhagwood@ncdot.gov to for more information.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary ands and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Samantha Borgess, Environmental Analysis Unit, Public Involvement Officer at smborges1@ncdot.gov or 919-707-6115.