The Village of Pinehurst is asking the governor and lieutenant governor to intervene in a proposed redesign of the Pinehurst Traffic Circle, arguing the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s current plan would harm the historic landmark and reduce safety.
Mayor Patrick Pizzella said in an email to Sandhills Sentinel that the Village Council unanimously approved letters to Gov. Josh Stein and Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt outlining the council’s concerns with the state’s “final plan” for the traffic circle.
In the letters, the council said it supports improvements to increase safety and traffic efficiency at the circle, but argued that the current proposal conflicts with Pinehurst’s historic character and long-standing community concerns.
“The proposed design incorporates elements that will make the Circle much less safe according to research done by NCDOT itself, the Federal Highway Administration, and numerous other official bodies,” the letters state.
The council also cited longstanding concerns about property rights, aesthetics, and the village’s federal landmark status through the U.S. Department of the Interior and National Park Service.
The council has pointed to revised population projections released in January 2026 by the North Carolina State Demographer’s Office, which showed lower projected growth for Moore County and surrounding counties by 2050. The council argued NCDOT did not reevaluate future traffic projections after the updated data was released.
The letters also note that there has never been a fatality at the traffic circle in its 70-year history and that the current proposal would introduce features not previously used there, including traffic signals and intersections.
More, the letters add that the “mission of NC-DOT is to focus on safety and efficiency of traffic flow—not historical ambiance and long-held community concerns.”
Council members argued there is still time to revisit the project because construction is not scheduled to begin until 2031 and is expected to finish in 2034.
The village urged Stein and Hunt to direct NCDOT to work more closely with the Village Council and involve the State Historic Preservation Office in the planning process.
“We urge you to direct NC- DOT to engage sincerely with the Village Council on this matter and involve the State Historical Preservation Office to protect the Landmark from infringement and the maintenance of its integrity,” reads one letter. “In doing so, you will protect the Village of Pinehurst’s position as a primary asset to the state while at the same time allowing for reasonable improvements to the Circle to accommodate the growth of our surrounding community.”
File photo via Village of Pinehurst.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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