The North Carolina Department of Transportation discussed its newest design for improvements to the Pinehurst Traffic Circle during a public meeting at the Fair Barn on Tuesday. The updated plan aims to improve safety and relieve traffic congestion while addressing community concerns.
The new design replaces a previous proposal that faced opposition due to the loss of homes, tree removal, and the project’s cost. The revised plan is expected to cost about $30 million less than the original design.
Hundreds of residents attended the meeting to view the new design and share feedback with NCDOT officials. The session served as an input meeting for the public, giving residents an opportunity to comment on the proposal. Reactions were mixed, but many said the revised plan was a noticeable improvement over the previous version.
The proposed project would make improvements along roughly one mile of the stretch from south of Pinehurst Manor Drive to Page Road. NCDOT officials said the changes are needed to improve mobility and reduce crashes at one of Moore County’s busiest intersections.
“The primary needs to be addressed by the project are traffic mobility, capacity, and safety at the traffic circle,” reads the official plan. “Delays of several minutes occur during peak travel times through the traffic circle. Vehicle congestion and excessive queuing result in substantial safety and crash issues for motorists who use the traffic circle.”
The NCDOT reports that over the past five years, there has been an average of one crash every two days at the circle.
Slide from the presentation referring to traffic delays and crash reports.
Under the proposal, signalized intersections would be added on the east and west sides of the circle, with a connecting roadway between N.C. 211 and N.C. 2. The intersections would use coordinated traffic signals to maintain flow. Midland Road’s connection, meanwhile, would be modified to allow traffic from the Village to make a new signalized U-turn at U.S. 15-501 on the south side of the circle. The plan also includes a new roundabout at the N.C. 2 and Airport Road intersection.
Changes to the flow of traffic were delineated in the presentation:
• U.S. 15-501 north and south would run around the edges of the retained circle. The traffic would appear as one-way movements, stopping at signalized intersections with N.C. 2 and N.C. 211.
• N.C. 2 heading west would connect directly to N.C. 211, traveling through the current circle. There would be lighted intersections where U.S. 15-501 north and south connect.
• A roundabout at N.C. 2 and Airport Road would control traffic flow outside of the main intersection.
• N.C. 2 heading west would connect directly to N.C. 211, traveling through the current circle. There would be lighted intersections where U.S. 15-501 north and south connect.
• The Midland Road entrance to Pinehurst would be retained. Traffic eastbound would have a merge lane toward U.S. 15-501 south and turn lanes toward Carthage and Southern Pines.
NCDOT officials said the design will preserve the visual character of the existing traffic circle, with landscaping and decorative plantings to maintain the current aesthetic.
The Pinehurst Traffic Circle has been a major regional intersection for decades, serving thousands of motorists each day. Since 2013, NCDOT has evaluated more than 20 concepts to improve safety and mobility. Earlier ideas included multi-lane roundabouts and interchanges, but those options either failed to meet long-term needs or proved too difficult for drivers to navigate.
Public engagement played a starring role in shaping the current plan. NCDOT hosted three public meetings in July 2024 to present the prior design and gather feedback. While that plan offered significant traffic and safety improvements, it lacked local support. Residents cited concerns about aesthetics, navigation, and right-of-way impacts.
In the past, Pinehurst council members and Mayor Patrick Pizzella worked with NCDOT to discuss how to improve the circle without detracting from the area’s charm, removing trees, or displacing homes. While the council opposed the original changes, they have acknowledged a marked improvement in the newer concepts.
In response, engineers developed a more conventional design intended to balance efficiency with community preferences. Representatives with NCDOT said the new concept reduces both cost and property impacts while maintaining safety and mobility goals.
Although right-of-way acquisition may still be necessary, officials said efforts will be made to minimize the displacement of homes and businesses.
Construction is expected to take place between the 2029 and 2035 U.S. Opens, a timeline NCDOT said will minimize disruption to major events in the area. The project will be coordinated with the planned widening of U.S. 15-501 north of the traffic circle to better manage traffic during construction.
The public can continue to provide feedback as the design progresses through the planning process. Public comments on the project will be accepted through Nov. 12.
Input can be shared online at the project webpage, by email at [email protected], or by calling the project hotline at 984-205-6615 and entering project code 7045 to leave a message.
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~ Article by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021. Photos via North Carolina Department of Transportation.
