PITT COUNTY – A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation plans to begin construction next week in Calico to convert the existing intersection of N.C. 102 and N.C. 43 into a Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI) to improve safety.
The intersection will remain open for the duration of the work, which will begin Sept. 29, and is expected to take several months to complete. Construction will be carried out by Barnhill Contracting Co. and will include installing bulb-outs and concrete monolithic islands.
RCIs are designed to enhance safety and improve traffic flow by minimizing the number of potential locations—known as conflict points—where vehicles cross paths. A statewide study of 31 intersections found that RCIs led to a 50% decrease in total crashes and an 80% reduction in frontal-impact crashes. Additional information may be found on the NCDOT RCI webpage.
Drivers are encouraged to reduce speed through the work zone and pay attention to all traffic control devices while the safety improvements are underway.