Trees in Median of U.S. 1 Targeted
Crape myrtles in median of U.S. 1 Photo by Glenn M. Sides
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Hundreds of crape myrtles planted two decades ago to enhance the U.S. 1 median before the return of major championship golf to Moore County are apparently on the verge of elimination.
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will close the bidding at the end of the month on a hazard-elimination project that will install 3.6 miles of guardrail on U.S. 1 from Morganton Road in Southern Pines to Valley View Road by Hyland golf course.
"Unfortunately, all of the crape myrtles in the median are going to have to be removed," NCDOT District Engineer Chuck Dumas said in a June 14 email to Assistant Southern Pines Town Manager David White.
Dumas said several iterations of the guardrail design were considered in an effort to save some of the crape myrtles.
But NCDOT was "unable to come up with anything that would meet (safety) standards," he said in the email.
Work on the project is scheduled to begin July 25 and be completed by Nov. 30.
Southern Pines Town Council member David McNeill said he is encouraging NCDOT to look at other options and has enlisted the help of the Rural Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC) of the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO).
"I'm not against improving safety conditions," McNeill said. "I'm just trying to help the state accomplish its goal while maintaining the crape myrtles. I've counted more than 300 crape myrtles along that stretch of U.S. 1."
Town Manager Reagan Parsons agreed.
"Obviously, if there is an ability to save the crape myrtles while addressing the safety concerns on U.S. 1, we have an interest in seeing that happen," he said
McNeill made his case at a June 16 meeting in which RTAC approved a motion to request that NCDOT revise its plan to ensure that the crape myrtles are preserved.
"While the RTAC recognizes the safety concerns at this location, they want to ensure that the implemented improvements do not unnecessarily destroy this beautiful landscaping feature," Matthew Day, a senior planner for TARPO, said in an email sent after the meeting to Donald Lee, state roadside environmental engineer for NCDOT.
The state explored using Brifen rail, which would have allowed for one line of guardrail that may have been adjusted in the median to save some of the crape myrtles. But the median is too narrow for Brifen so two lines of standard metal galvanized guardrail will be used.
"That's probably not the standard we want here," McNeill said.
As a result, there will be only six to seven feet of median width between the rails for the crape myrtles, which is inadequate.
The crape myrtles were planted around the time the season-ending PGA Tour Championship was conducted at Pinehurst No. 2 in 1991 and 1992, and the 1994 U.S. Senior Open was contested on the famed Donald Ross golf course.
Since then, the resort has hosted the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Opens as well as the 2008 U.S. Amateur. Pine Needles has also hosted the U.S. Women's Open in 1996, 2001 and 2007.
Ironically, the apparent end of the crape myrtles comes as NCDOT prepares to implement its 2014 U.S. Open Regional Enhancement Plan. Renovation and rejuvenation of the plantings at the Midland Road and Pennsylvania Avenue interchanges along U.S. 1 will begin later this year.
The 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open will be held in back-to-back weeks at Pinehurst No. 2.
Contact Ted M. Natt Jr. at tnatt@thepilot.com.
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Comments
dlb 1 year, 11 months ago
The US 1 median is just too dangerous. The crape myrtles are a hazard. Drivers are at risk. Hardly a day passes without a major traffic incident caised by aggresive species of tree. Please NCDOT save us from ourselves.
TooHot 1 year, 11 months ago
It seems that drivers are culling these out about one a week anyway cause they have a propensity of being in the way.
MonkeyJunction 1 year, 11 months ago
Dumb, Dumb, and even more DUMB!! What a waste of money.
geoffcutler 1 year, 11 months ago
One of the nice things about crape myrtle is that they are easily transplanted. They have a high survival rate after tranplant compared with other trees and shrubs. Has NCDOT or other planners thought to dig, temporarily store in raised mulch bed and then replant these crape myrtles after installation of safety rail is complete? Having looked the median over fairly carefully as a member of the SP Appearance Commission, it would appear that there is plenty of available space for both rail and properly pruned and planted Crape Myrtles. Just a thought.
jcinaberdeen 1 year, 11 months ago
I was about to ask the same question. If the trees don't remain where they are, can we not move them safely somewhere else? I know it isn't like they are 100-year-old trees or anything, but they appear healthy, etc. (although obviously I'm going by at 55 mph). Still, they're nice looking crape myrtles...would be a shame to destroy them. I am in favor of the guard rails though.
fwanko 1 year, 11 months ago
What's even more dangerous are the old pines on Midland Road. They need to be thinned out (not eliminated). Every time there is a storm, down come large hazardous limbs. But that area seems to be a sacred cow.
None 1 year, 11 months ago
North Carolina is ranked # 3 in highest gas taxation. Driven our roads lately. Not in Raleigh or Charlotte, here in Moore County. We pay the most but get less. So DMV has to spend it somewhere. In our area is't about "green" to spruce up for once a decade visitors who play golf. Lets not forget the Pinehurst Municipal Airport where part-time salaries are politically influenced. Dumb has finally filtered down from Washington to North Carolina legislative branches of government.
None 1 year, 11 months ago
well said!
None 1 year, 11 months ago
I couldn't phantom what it cost taxpayers initially to plant those trees. Do you remember the Million Dollar Bonus for the new double road to Sanford that the golfers didn't use? People in high places with very comfortable taxpayer salaries, making dumb decisions. Because they get the big bucks to make dumb decisions. If you don't remember, just post another thread, and I'll fill you in on the skinny.
hbishop 1 year, 11 months ago
I think selling the trees to the public is a great idea!! But then again i think they should be left alone, we are already cutting down the trees on the 211 project, how much more will be cut down before its enough or it turns moore county in to some place like Charlotte where there are no trees?
Arestorer 1 year, 11 months ago
More waste !!!! Has there been a problem with people crossing the median and hitting head-on traffic?? Maybe I just havent heard of it happening there.. So much for the floral enhancment...I thought the County cared what the roads look like, more than they cared about safety or they would cut all the trees off of Midland rd. You'll never get me to believe that some type of back-scratching isnt going on here..
wrich49 1 year, 11 months ago
Who knows what the statistics are for accidents caused by these trees? Where could we find this information? If lives have been lost or serious injuries have been caused by the trees, then I guess they have to go, but is this really what's happening? I have traveled this road many times and have never had my view obstructed. If anything, the trees are a barrier to oncoming traffic. I really hope they don't have to do this! This is such a lovely little drive, and I hate to see it destroyed.
native 1 year, 11 months ago
I don't get it...How are these trees causing accidents???????
AM910 1 year, 11 months ago
When those who prefer to drive in the median hit them...
MikeNC 1 year, 11 months ago
What safety or hazard regulations has been made or changed since 1991-94 when the trees were planted? Is there a specific State safety code for that regulation that must be adhered to? Or is this decision discretionary?? It's not like we were operating horse and buggies back then; in fact the sizes of cars have decreased since then. It is just in the past few years where them trees have matured into things of beauty and now they have to go on a hazard elimination project. I would not want to be the one who blesses off on this project....Mike
handyssc2 1 year, 11 months ago
I'm with you,, MikeNC. What law requires the removal of hundreds of trees planted just a few years ago? And why would trees in the median be a hazard? US 1 is a 4-lane separated highway with ramp exits. How hard is it to drive on this road?
MikeNC 1 year, 11 months ago
I took a ride over there a couple hours ago Handyssc2...To both check it out and also to take in my favorite Mexican restaurant while in the neighborhood. Just how much room is necessary to put in a guard rail? I'm no guard rail man, but it seems that if they really want to put in a guard rail to make things safer; there is plenty of room to have the guard rail and leave the trees just where they are at. I don't get this one at all....Mike
jonoso 1 year, 11 months ago
don't let them do it big mistake moore county is based on tourism asthetics mean a lot don't make it look more and more like a city when folks come here to feel like they are getting away from the city. who paid for the trees to be planted in the first place and why..... just more waistful spending..... guard rail is not going to stop the big accidents these trees help more than they hinder...... where are our local government officials when a real fight needs to take place?... and while i am at it, the state does a terrible job on state maintained rds when it comes to trash pick up along side the roads they are neglecting moore county for sure....
Bflat 1 year, 11 months ago
They don't even mow the roadsides frequently enough, and for sure they don't pick up the trash. Some roads have been adopted for trash pickup, though.
Steve 1 year, 11 months ago
Government at it’s best again!!
CSmithson 1 year, 11 months ago
The only section that MIGHT seem to warrant ONE rail is the inside of the northbound lanes in the curve approaching Midland. I can think of a number of safety- related improvements on DOT roads that seem more urgent than this project.
Heck, they could fix all the potholes and ruts on SW Broad street to start. People are always complaining to the Town about Broad, but it is a DOT maintained(or NOT maintained) road.
I just don't understand why the DOT dumps so much money into "improvements" on this stretch of US-1. My office window looks out onto this stretch of the highway and I have seen some crazy things done. A couple years back, DOT paid the Wooten Co. big bucks to improve the dirt shoulders and plant new grass. The very next year, they paid the Wooten Co. even bigger bucks to dig up that nice new shoulder and grass to pave it. I wonder if Wooten Co. will be doing the new guard rails...
Bflat 1 year, 11 months ago
Will DOT also be installing a guardrail in the median of US 15-501 South of the Pinehurst traffic circle and taking out all those plantings??? It would seem like the same "safety" concerns would apply there.
buddysmith 1 year, 11 months ago
i still dont understand the destrution going on at 211 west from the traffic circle. what is the sense of 2 lanes going eastbound from west end to the traffic circle? so people can hurry up and wait at the traffic circle? the whole area looks like an artillery impact range. why do they need so much land and why does the road have to have a median to maintain?? maybe it is time we looked more closely at the money being spent and were it is going? I smell a rat!
None 1 year, 11 months ago
I do remember seeing our governor on the news, in the spring of 2010, stating that we had to hurry and spend the federal funds that NC had been allocated. She said we had to do this, "so we could get more funds".
None 1 year, 11 months ago
She may have buddy. Didn't the MCBoC request stimulus funds for lift stations around Lake Pinehurst using some of those funds? Lift stations to Little River Farm for the investment group from New Jersey? The Town of Carthage knew that land would not perk when then Mayor Larry Caddell reached half-way to Pinehurst to build a municipal golf course. Now using Federal Funds, Commissioner Larry Caddell is keeping his promise to provide water and sewer to another floundering golf resort. Politics at it's finest.
pinewoodnc 1 year, 10 months ago
I agree. I have driven 211 several times recently and am just sick at the way they are basically clear cutting on both sides. It looks like a disaster zone. I cannot imagine how this is going to work. All the traffic will just get bottlenecked at the traffic circle. How can this be advantageous for the traffic? I don't know why they couldn't just leave 211 alone. I also wonder about people with houses close to the road. Will their houses be torn down? Also, towards Olmstead, there are many homes that use to have a buffer of trees from the back of their homes and 211. That is now gone and I would imagine their home values will drop substantially. Who wants a highway at the very back of their property.
None 1 year, 11 months ago
Rep. Boles & Sen. Blake Speak up!!! Stop this waste of tax dollars. Leave the Crape Myrtles. If we MUST install the guard rails, lets paint flowers, trees, birds & butterflies and a few golf balls on them. We could change the scene as the seasons change. Think how many artists we could put to work using our tax dollars!!!
None 1 year, 11 months ago
It's not about the economy. They'd rather hit social issues. That's why the Republicans are so involved in the marriage amendment. Good use of time when the State's going into the crapper.
None 1 year, 11 months ago
Did you happen to read House Bill 664? Sponsored by Representative Jamie Boles, Alexander Kelly, Mecklenburg County Funeral Director and Attorney Bill Faison, representing Caswell and Orange Counties. If legislation isn't an interest to the TEA Party (Dee Parks) or personal interest, they just go through the motions.
djcalaska 1 year, 11 months ago
Is it really a surprise we have financial problems??? A guardrail???
None 1 year, 11 months ago
Well, it's like this. With state funding cuts that affect law enforcement, it's the states way of keeping drunk drivers in their lane of travel, until stopped by guardrails. I drive to Chapel Hill about twice a week, and in a month, I see maybe one Highway Patrol Trooper, usually with a car stopped while traffic zooms past at 70 in a 60 zone. Crews are installing guardrails in Chatham and Orange Counties. On hwy 211 those cable death traps are still being installed. It would seem appropriate to just fix the potholes in and around the state. Tires, wheels and shocks are a windfall for vehicle service companies.
Poundman 1 year, 11 months ago
Biggest wast of money since? The expansion of 211 comes to mind as another waste
deewee99 1 year, 11 months ago
Ok so there is a guy killed a week or so ago on US#1 right in the curve before the Midland Road exit. Coincidence this is happening? I don't believe rails would have helped him any. It's kind of like a stop light at an intersection after a death at it. They wait for that to happen and THEN do something about it.
jonoso 1 year, 11 months ago
the pilot should bundle all these comments and send them up to the powers to be in raleigh the bridge on morganton over us1 comes to mind on what really needs addressing it is very bad traffic situation there. much more dangerous than a divided highway........... you can't keep it on the road a guard rail aint going to help you anyway .
franklee 1 year, 11 months ago
Would anyone like to guess along which stretch of highway the two most catastrophic (fatal) traffic crashes occurred in Southern Pines over the last year? I'll give you a hint: US1 Hwy near Midland Rd. Trees didn't cause the crashes. High speed and alcohol were key ingredients. A properly installed and maintained guardrail system could have saved lives. This section of highway is a hazard for multiple reasons: the turn is too sharp and the unprotected median is too narrow. The section of US15-501 Hwy that someone else indicated, just south of the traffic circle, is straight and the speed limit is only 45 mph instead of 55 mph like on US1. Think before you speak and Don't Drink & Drive!
pinewoodnc 1 year, 10 months ago
Yes, but who goes 45 on US15/501 heading south from the circle. Most pass me going at least 55+.
pinewoodnc 1 year, 10 months ago
Not only south on 15/501, but north too!
UncleArt 1 year, 11 months ago
Thanks to Ted Natt and the Pilot for spotlighting the NCDOT's plan to destroy the beauty of the tree-lined approach to Southern Moore County! I called Ted and the local NCDOT rep Chuck Dumas, and 'tis true: They plan to run amok putting up shiny-ugly railings ... to no avail. Without the owners' permission. With no assurance that it will make the highway one whit safer. Chuck cited the 100-plus MPH-plus speeder and two other cases over the last several years where guardrails might have made a difference in the outcome.
The right of way doesn't belong to the NCDOT; it belongs to the taxpayers. All of us. And, according to the State constitution, we have the right to say no. (We're still looking up current case law) The problem remains - the railings will not prevent accidents, and probably not mitigate them. And it will be an abuse of power on DOT's part, and a waste of taxpayer money. Call your representatives!
handyssc2 1 year, 11 months ago
Well said UncleArt. So we have to lose our aesthetics because 2 people were drinking and speeding? Is it the taxpayer's responsibility now to protect people from themselves?
handyssc2 1 year, 11 months ago
Thanks Councilman McNeill for trying to find a compromise solution.
FaithinUSA 1 year, 11 months ago
I for one think the state is right.....I'd much rather hit a metal guard rail then be mutilated by a crap myrtle ....thanks for saving us NC. I also just love all the beautiful metal no parking signs all over Pinehurst....especially at #2 GC I get that warm fussy feeling all the time.. Five man electrical band would be proud "sign,sign everywhere a sign" of this county, there are signs everywhere and its looking more like a slum in some areas.... I ride a motorcycle and I don't care much for signs beside the road....IMJS
None 1 year, 11 months ago
"Call your representatives!" Uncle Art suggests. Unless Representatives Boles or Blake have a personal interest in "guardrail companies", forget it. If it's not in their self interest, then they just go through the motions. _____________Regarding the mess on highway 211, what happens after one drives from West End to the outskirts of Pinehurst and bottlenecks at the already hazardous bottleneck known as the traffic circle? Perhaps motorists can get to the circle faster using 2 travel lanes so they can wait a bit longer. I would like to see some resurfacing as opposed to creating more congestion, but I'm not a DOT Highway Engineer.
FaithinUSA 1 year, 11 months ago
The trees that need to be removed are the pine trees in the median on midland road between southern pines and pinehurst. These trees are a hazard...branches falling on you, you can't see crossing Midland with all the trees in the road. There are trees on Midland road with battle scars on them from cars bouncing off them.But the crape myrtles are more dangerous.
Arestorer 1 year, 10 months ago
Politicians in charge of money they think is their own..........Lost all faith in Boles, when he wanted the bill pasted that would allow him to charge the Insurance companies more for his services...Regardless of the families wishes..
Arestorer 1 year, 10 months ago
Why wouldnt they just extend the 45 speed zone North past Middland rd.
I KNOW,,TO SIMPLE..
MonkeyJunction 1 year, 10 months ago
So how's a guardrail going to save lives....when speeding and alcohol were the culprits. Still drunk and still dead.
brillig 1 year, 10 months ago
Exactly. When are individuals going to start being responsible again? Sorry, but stupid actions usually get bad results. Should I insist that everyone wear helmets when they walk on Broad St....someone might not be paying attention, trip, crack their head open and then sue the town. This is just nanny state BS and a payoff to someone combined...all in the 'guise' of public safety.