By Erin Smith
A new four-way stop was erected this week at the intersection of NC 41 and NC 410. The new traffic pattern is causing some concern with those who travel through the intersection on a regular basis.
NC Department of Transportation District Engineer Drew Cox said the four-way stop is a temporary solution until the construction of a round-a-bout in the area is completed.
“It is a temporary effort to reduce the number of accidents occurring at the intersection and to help get us to the construction of the round-a-bout,” said Cox. “It (the four-way stop) is not something you see a lot in North Carolina.” He said it is typically used at high volume intersections.
Area residents and business owners feel the new four-way stop is unsafe. Ruth Haskins, owner of Elizabethtown Florist, said she is rerouting her deliveries to avoid the intersection. “It’s very dangerous. I can’t imagine what it will be like when the kids start back to school,” said Haskins.
She said floral deliveries will be rerouted either onto Paul Brisson Road and back to NC 41 or onto Center Road and back to NC 41 depending on the location of the delivery.
Haskins said she felt a traffic signal light would have been a better choice. Gary Roberts, who resides on Old NC 41, but travels NC 41 frequently, said his biggest concern was the lack of input from citizens regarding the matter.
“People don’t have any input anymore,” said Roberts.
Both Roberts and Haskins said the intersection is confusing to drivers, especially teenagers just learning to drive and the elderly. Roberts also pointed out the road has a lot of farm equipment traffic which could exacerbate the situation.
Roberts said he has contacted several local representatives but was told there was not enough traffic to justify the costs to erect a signal light at the intersection versus the cost to construct a round-a-bout.
According to North Carolina law, the driver of the vehicle on the left, must yield the right of way to the driver on the right. That is according to North Carolina General Statute 20-155(a).
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has plans to install a round-a-bout at the intersection. District Engineer Drew Cox said the round-a-bout is paid for with funds from the Spot Safety fund. He said typically a safety project can take about 18 months to complete. The need for the round-a-bout was determined based on the number of accidents which were occurring at the intersection. The four-way stop is an intermediate treatment for the intersection until plans are created and the round-a-bout is installed.
“The hope is, that by getting something installed now, that gets us enough time to get the round-a-bout constructed,” said Cox.
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