Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010

Busy crossing gets signal

What used to be a quiet, rural intersection in Holly Springs now sits between a busy shopping center and three schools.

For those long lines of cars waiting to turn onto Avent Ferry Road from Piney Grove Wilbon Road, help is on the way.

The N.C. Department of Transportation should have a new traffic light installed above the trouble spot no later than October.

"We've been asking for this light for at least five years," said Stephanie Sudano, director of engineering for the town of Holly Springs.

She says the intersection recently reached a volume of traffic warranting, in the NCDOT's view, the tri-colored, LED-powered solution.

Michael Prince, for one, is thrilled.

Prince lives about a mile from the busy intersection, along Piney Grove Wilbon Road.

He says he often creeps along for more than 15 minutes in a line that's backed up for hundreds of yards while trying to get his son to Holly Springs Elementary School on time.

"The traffic is worse than ever now that we've added a new school," said Prince, referring to Holly Grove Middle School, which opened nearby on July 9.

A left-hand turn onto Avent Ferry from Pine Grove Wilbon can take several minutes, even if there is no line.

Bonus for town, too

What will be a bonus for drivers is also a bonus for the town.

By having NCDOT design and install the light, the town will save about 10 to 15 percent in costs, keeping the estimated cost to about $65,000, Sudano said.

"This is definitely cost-effective for us," Sudano said. "But, more importantly, it will improve traffic flow and make the intersection safer."