By now, it’s no secret that the Pinehurst Traffic Circle will likely see significant changes in the coming years. With this impending change looming closer, local leaders and state transportation officials continue to weigh competing proposals to improve traffic flow and safety while preserving the historic landmark.
Two major proposals are currently under discussion: one from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and another from the Pinehurst Village Council.
The NCDOT proposal would create a six-lane signalized intersection cutting through the northern portion of the circle, connecting Highway 211 with Midland Road. The design includes traffic lights and dedicated turn lanes.
In contrast, the village is backing a modified version of a previously studied state concept known as “Concept 14,” which would add two express lanes beneath the southwest portion of the circle to connect Highway 211 with Highway 15-501 southbound. Instead of an elevated bridge used in earlier versions of the design, the village’s plan calls for the lanes to run through a trench supported by retaining walls.
The council approved a resolution on April 14 supporting their alternative design for the circle and opposing the separate proposal from the NCDOT.
“The Pinehurst Village Council recognizes that, given the unique characteristics of the Pinehurst Traffic Circle, improving its efficiency may require a unique, non-traditional design,” reads part of the resolution. “Concept 14 maintains the existing Circle and does not require traffic lights or left turn lanes, and therefore, according to multiple reports written by NC-DOT and other state and Federal governmental agencies, should be safer than the NC-DOT’s proposed design.”
Council members say their preferred concept would improve efficiency while maintaining the character and safety of the approximately 70-year-old traffic circle, which many have defended as a defining feature of the community.
Village officials said the approach would preserve the existing traffic circle without introducing traffic lights or major structural changes that could alter its appearance.
According to the resolution, traffic data shows N.C. 211 and U.S. 15-501 south account for more than 20% of peak-hour traffic moving through the circle, making that connection the most heavily traveled.
The council also cited a March 30 traffic memorandum projecting that the village-supported design and the state’s current proposal would perform similarly in terms of vehicle delay and traffic throughput during peak hours by 2050.
Council members argued the express-lane design could provide additional safety benefits while requiring fewer new traffic lanes and potentially avoiding the need to acquire residential property through eminent domain.
The resolution calls on NCDOT to reevaluate long-term traffic projections using updated population forecasts released earlier this year by the North Carolina State Demographer’s Office, which show lower growth projections for Moore County and surrounding counties than previously expected.
Village leaders said updated projections could narrow the expected performance differences between the competing designs.
The council also urged the transportation department to explore interim improvements that could be implemented sooner, including adjusting speed limits approaching the circle and improving signage.
In addition to backing the alternative concept, the resolution asks state transportation officials to work collaboratively with the village to refine the design while maintaining the circle’s safety, function, and historic character.
The resolution will be sent to members of the North Carolina General Assembly, the governor and lieutenant governor, the state attorney general, the secretary of transportation, the Moore County Board of Commissioners, and the Sandhills Metropolitan Planning Organization governing board.
Feature photo courtesy 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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