Pinehurst council continues traffic circle conversation

July 17, 2026

Pinehurst officials remain at odds with the N.C. Department of Transportation over the future of the village’s historic traffic circle. Council members said recent discussions produced little progress on larger issues but did reaffirm the village’s intent to press for changes before the project advances.

During the Village Council’s July 14 meeting, Mayor Pro Tem John Taylor and Council Member Jeremy Hooper summarized a recent meeting between village representatives and NCDOT officials regarding the agency’s proposed redesign of the traffic circle.

The update followed the council’s request for continued discussions after expressing concerns over the state’s plans, which call for extensive changes intended to improve traffic flow and safety.

Taylor said village representatives asked NCDOT to further evaluate an alternative “hybrid turbo interchange” concept that the village believes could reduce delays while requiring less right-of-way than the state’s proposal.

The village also requested that the department analyze the alternative using the same traffic modeling metrics applied to its preferred design, but with updated assumptions, including projected traffic volumes of about 65,000 vehicles per day rather than 80,000 vehicles as was previously projected.

According to Taylor, NCDOT declined to perform the additional analysis.

“Their answers were, ‘Your proposal is not as good as our proposal, and so we are proceeding ahead with our proposal,'” Taylor told the council.

Taylor said he was disappointed the department did not evaluate the requested alternative, although NCDOT has lowered its projected 2050 traffic volume from 80,000 vehicles per day to approximately 72,400.

Village officials argued that the revised forecast still relies on data they believe is outdated and does not fully account for more recent demographic projections showing slower population growth in Moore County.

Another topic discussed during the meeting was the village’s request for speed limit signs within the traffic circle. Council members believe lower approach speeds could improve safety and reduce the gaps drivers need when entering the circle.

Taylor said NCDOT indicated it would consider the request if the village adopts a formal resolution supporting the change.

More, Taylor reported that NCDOT continues to maintain that research supporting modern roundabouts cannot be directly applied to Pinehurst’s much larger traffic circle.

According to the department, the size of the circle makes it difficult to control vehicle speeds, limiting the effectiveness of lower speed limits and other design changes proposed by the village.

Hooper said NCDOT’s safety data is based almost entirely on studies of conventional roundabouts rather than traffic circles.

“They have no such studies when it has to do with the circle,” Hooper said. He added that while the department dismisses comparisons between the two, he believes “common-sense” safety principles still apply.

Taylor also questioned the age of the traffic and crash data supporting the state’s proposal, noting much of it dates back several years and may not reflect recent operational changes, including the installation of bollards that village officials say have reduced collisions.

Mayor Patrick Pizzella praised Taylor and Hooper for continuing to challenge prior assumptions and seek updated information.

“The more facts you uncover and introduce, the stronger the arguments are to minimize tampering with the circle,” Pizzella said. He then added that he hopes any eventual solution avoids traffic signals, minimizes property acquisition, and preserves the character of the village.

Pizzella also reiterated that, according to village officials, the traffic circle has never experienced a fatal crash in its roughly 70-year history. He said most reported incidents are minor rear-end collisions or sideswipes, with officials believing the bollards have further reduced accidents.

Hooper concluded the presentation by outlining NCDOT’s current project schedule. Right-of-way acquisition is expected to begin in August 2027 and conclude in August 2029. Utility relocation is scheduled from June 2029 through January 2031, with construction currently planned to be let in May 2031.

He conceded that NCDOT has committed to continued coordination with the village, including sharing its upcoming noise study, discussing bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, landscaping plans, and aesthetic improvements as the project progresses.

To watch a recording of the meeting online, please click here.

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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