PINEHURST – The N.C. Department of Transportation has finalized the design for improving traffic flow and safety of the Pinehurst Traffic Circle.
The final design, among other changes, would:
- Add signals on the east and west sides of the circle that would coordinate the flow of traffic and adapt to changing traffic conditions;
- Add a new roadway within the circle that connects N.C. 211 and N.C. 2; and
- Retain the aesthetics of the circle's wooded canopy and include new landscaping and decorative plantings.
The department is hosting an open house-style public meeting from 3 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 28 at The Fair Barn, 200 Beulah Hill Road South in Pinehurst. The purpose of the meeting is to show the final design, answer the public's questions and collect comments about it. People may drop in at any time, as there will not be a formal presentation.
This final design is a years-long culmination of studying more than 20 alternatives to improving the five-legged traffic circle, which is experiencing increasing congestion and delays and an increase in crashes. These problems are expected to worsen in the coming years, if no changes are made to it.
When the department held public meetings last summer on an alternative design, it received about 600 comments from citizens, local officials and other stakeholders, including from those who desired that any change retain the aesthetic feel of the traffic circle. Based on those comments, the department has finalized a more conventional design that would balance the need for improvements and be responsive to the community's preferences.
In addition to adding two traffic signals on either side of the circle, the final design would modify Midland Road's connection to it and construct a roundabout at N.C. 2 and Airport Road to improve safety and traffic flow.
More details of the final design, including maps, renderings and short visualization videos of the changes, can be found on NCDOT's public input website, which also includes a Frequently Asked Questions section about this project.
The department is accepting comments on the final design through Nov. 12. They may be sent to pinehursttrafficcircle@publicinput.com; or by calling 984-205-6615, enter code 7045, and leave a message. Alternatively, comments and questions may be sent on the public input site for the project.
Individuals who need accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact Tony Gallagher at 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598; 919-707-6069; or magallagher@ncdot.gov as early as possible so arrangements can be made.
People who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior by calling 1-800-481-6494.