‘Confusion Junction’ To Get A Facelift

News Reporter Whiteville-area residents seemed generally pleased Thursday with the state’s plans for a new connector road and other improvements at the junctions of U.S. 701 Bypass, N.C. 130 and South Madison Street. The state Department of Transportation held an information workshop for the public Thursday to outline a $2 million plan for easing congestion at a spot that sometimes sees vehicles backed up for more than a mile and into the adjoining Town of Brunswick. This is a much needed expense. That intersection is a royal pain in the butt. I have to go through there everyday in route to work. The plan has two key elements. First, the traffic signal at N.C. 130 and South Madison Street will be eliminated and the extreme south end of Madison will become a service road for Eckerd’s, Hill’s and the other businesses there. Drivers on N.C. 130 will be able to turn right only onto the service road and drivers on the service road will be able to turn right only onto N.C. 130. A shorter stretch of Madison across N.C. 130 on the southeast side of the junction will also become a service road with right-in and right-out access only. Second, Leslie Newsome Avenue will be widened and extended from South Madison Street to U.S. 701 Bypass near Joe’s Barbecue. Signals will be added along Leslie Newsome Avenue at U.S. 701 Bypass, South Madison Street and N.C. 130. N.C. 130 will also be widened and have extra dedicated turn lanes. Sounds a bit confusing but maybe it'll work out just fine. The public still has another 11 days to send written comments to DOT at POB 1150, Fayetteville, 28302. After the comment period, engineers will consider any changes, then start acquiring right of way. DOT hopes to see construction in 2007.