TABOR CITY – An N.C. Department of Transportation project to improve safety and reduce congestion at a busy Tabor City intersection will start this week.
The T-intersection is where southbound drivers on N.C. 410 now must stop and wait for a safe opening on U.S. 701 before proceeding. Police are often forced to direct traffic during weekends in the summer because so much beach traffic is turning right onto U.S. 701.
A contractor will construct what is known as a continuous-flow right turn to allow N.C. 410 drivers to easily merge onto U.S. 701 southbound without stopping at the intersection. As part of the project, a traffic island at the intersection will be installed to separate southbound U.S. 701 drivers as vehicles from N.C. 410 are turning right.
“This intersection is prone to long backups, especially during the summertime,” said Ken Clark, the department’s district engineer for Columbus and Bladen counties. “This project will eliminate the long queuing of cars and reduce the potential of rear-end collisions.”
The department awarded a $984,750 contract to Barnhill Contracting Co. of Rocky Mount in June, but delayed the start of work until September when the beach travel season subsides. The project is expected to be completed by next spring.