County wants intersections upgraded
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County Executive Kenneth Rogers presented the resolutions to the Highway and Bridge Committee for its approval at a meeting Tuesday. The committee voted unanimously to present the resolution to the full county commission for approval at its meeting Monday.
Rogers said he has consulted with state officials and representatives about the situation.
“I have talked to Sen. Cooper and Rep. Curtiss,” Rogers said. “They agreed to do this for us. It’s at the intersection of Pike Hill Road and Highway 56 out there where we had that fatality about six months ago.”
But the Pike Hill intersection is not the only area of concern. There is a problem at an intersection near Three Star Mall directly in front of U.S. Auto Sales.
“Sen. Cooper thinks they can take care of the Pike Hill Road intersection without a lot of trouble, but that intersection out at Three Star Mall is probably going to take major money,” said Rogers.
Rogers has given the areas some thought and will ask for a variety of fixes. At the Three Star Mall intersection, Rogers says the main problem is where the intersections merge into two lanes at both ends. He says he has asked that another lane be added to widen the intersections.
“Basically make it a three lane where we won’t have that congestion,” Rogers said. Rogers indicated the entrance to the mall at Wendy’s has been a problem as well and may require extra attention, since it is directly across from the entrance to the health department and the jail and is confusing to drivers as to who has the right of way.
“If everything else fails maybe put a red light there,” Rogers said. “Because we have people coming out of the jail, the health department, out of the mall, Wendy’s, and everybody’s looking, and first thing you know they’re all moving at once.
“Then out here at the Pike Hill Road they’re looking at a turn lane or maybe a red light,” Rogers added.
Rogers said it will ultimately be up to the state, though, as to how the problems are remedied.