Four-way stop signs will come down July 29 at a deadly intersection in the eastern end of Columbus, marking a milestone in improvements at N.C. 11 and N.C. 87.
Known traditionally as the Balfour-Beatty crossroads, the Sandyfield intersection has been the location of multiple fatal crashes, some involving commercial vehicles and cars. The all-way stop was created in 2017 in the wake of a fatal crash involving a family. The $36 million project began in 2023, after being fast-tracked by DOT at the urging then-County Commissioner Edwin Russ and others.
Bridges will now replace the stop signs at the intersection, allowing smoother traffic flow over N.C. 87.
Andrew Barksdale of the NCDOT said the project is not yet finished but N.C. 11 traffic will be shifted over N.C. 87.
Temporary traffic patterns will be in place for about a month, weather permitting, Barksdale said. Southbound traffic on N.C. 87 will use the new loop on the southeast side, then stop before turning onto N.C. 11.
N.C. 87 northbound traffic will go under the overpass and use the turnaround lane at Woodyard Road, turn south, then take the loop onto N.C. 11.
N.C. 11 traffic heading north on N.C. 87 will take the new ramp to N.C. 87 South, then the turnaround lane at Narrow Gap Road, while southbound traffic on N.C. 11 will use the new ramp to reach N.C. 87.
The turnaround areas are designed similar to reduced conflict interchanges to lower the number of crashes, Barksdale said. Orange drums will guide motorists until permanent concrete islands are installed later this summer.
On July 29, crews will begin tying the new alignment for N.C. 11 into the loop and ramp on the northwest side of the interchange. That section is expected to open in August, and mark the completion of the construction portion of the project. Crews will then handle the finishing work of permanent signage, painting and striping.
Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Chief Steve Camlin said the improvements will be a blessing. The intersection has been a frequent destination for ADR teams for decades.
“We have had at least 24 killed there that I can easily remember,” he said.
The morning of Sept. 28, 2017 was one of the worst in his career, Camlin said. Rebecca Roberts, 30 and her daughter Constance, 8, were killed when an 18-wheeler broadsided their car.
The Highway Patrol said that Roberts was headed west in N.C. 11 when she pulled into the path of the tractor-trailer. The driver was not seriously injured, and tried to render aid to the family while first responders were en route. He was not charged in the wreck.
Rebecca’s son Gabriel was airlifted to New Hanover and survived. The family was well-known and beloved in Riegelwood.
“That very day, Edwin Russ started making calls,” Camlin said. “It wasn’t long before the four-way stop signs went up, and DOT moved that project to the front of the line.”
Creating an overpass and interchange will greatly improve safety at the intersection, Camlin said.
“It will cut down on our wreck calls,” he said. “We have had so many there, terrible wrecks that you just can’t forget, especially when there’s a child involved. I think about Constance and her mom every day when I drive through there. Every single day. I’m just thankful we won’t have to worry as much about that crossing anymore.”
Camlin said he had asked that the overpass be named in honor of the girl.
“No child should have to die like that,” he said, “but at least her death means something. It forced a change that’s going to help a lot of other children and their families.”
