Another roundabout could be coming to Columbus County roadways.
The state Transportation Department (DOT) is recommending the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of N.C. 11 and Old Lake Road in Sandyfield. DOT is seeking public comment on its proposal to construct the circular intersection. Construction on the $1.4 million project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2023.
The route is a popular shortcut for transfer trucks between NC. 87 and U.S. 74, as well as for traffic heading to Acme-Delco Middle and the Frazier Sawmill at Riegelwood. Andrew Barksdale of the DOT said the roundabout will be large enough to accommodate truck traffic. A “truck apron” will be included in the project to give 18-wheelers more room to maneuver.
The N.C. Department of Transportation converted the intersection into an all-way stop last summer as an interim safety step, after an analysis showed there have been 13 injury crashes and one deadly crash in that intersection from 2014-2019. Most of the wrecks occurred when drivers on Old Lake Road failed to yield to traffic on N.C. 11.
Roundabouts have shown to reduce overall crashes by 41 percent across the state, and they improve traffic flow by eliminating the stop-and-go nature of a conventional all-way. More information can be found at the NCDOT’s roundabout page.
People can learn more about the proposal and submit questions and feedback about it at this NCDOT webpage.
Anyone with questions or comments about the proposal may use the project page online or directly contact John Gauthier, project manager, by jbgauthier@ncdot.gov or 910-364-0603.
Comments received by March 15 will be considered toward the final design.
