Seven workshops on highway needs and routing preferences will be crammed into the first four days of November.

Results of the seven public sessions will be used by the Moore County Transportation Committee to develop a plan for future transportation improvements.

Expected to generate the most lively discussions are improvements for N.C. 24-27 at Carthage, the N.C. 211 bypass/western connector and U.S. 1. Improvements are likely to mean new or different routes to protect community resources.

Most of the needs stem from heavy traffic congestion along N.C. 2, N.C. 5, U.S. 1 and U.S. 15-501.

“This is a chance for the public to participate in the decision-making process and to help determine how to improve its roads for current and future growth,” said Frances Bisby, a transportation engineer with the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

Bisby called this public outreach a critical initiative because no long-range transportation plan is presently in place to accommodate current growth, much less future growth.

“Moore County’s transportation infrastructure is vital in supporting continued growth, the public’s safety and well-being, economic development and statewide mobility,” Bisby said.

The committee is composed of a blend of residents and elected officials. The plan calls for the committee to work with NCDOT, the Moore County Planning and Community Development Department, and the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization to develop a vision plan reflecting the priorities of Moore County residents.

The series of workshops, dubbed charrettes by NCDOT, will begin Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Pinehurst Fair Barn off N.C. 5 in Pinehurst. Hours will be 3 until 5 p.m.

The next workshop is scheduled the same day, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Aberdeen Lake Park Recreation Station at 301 Lake Park Crossing in Aberdeen, off U.S. 1-15-501.

West End Senior Center will be the setting for the workshop on Nov. 2 from 1 until 3 p.m. at 126 Old West End School Lane (off N.C. 211). The committee will move to the Carthage Community Building for a 6 to 8 p.m. workshop on the same day. The site is 203 Barrett Street in downtown Carthage.

On Thursday, Nov. 3, the first workshop will be held from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Cameron Fire Department, 170 Red Hill Road in Cameron. From there, the series will move to the Pinehurst Village Assembly Hall, 395 Magnolia Road, for a 6 to 8 p.m. workshop.

The series will end Friday, Nov. 4, at the Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsyl-vania Ave., Southern Pines, from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m.

A spokesman for NCDOT says the same information will be presented at each workshop and there will be opportunity for public comment.

Information and materials about the comprehensive transportation plan and the workshops may be accessed at www.ncdot.gov/projects/moorechoices.

The website offers videos, maps and other resources. Residents may also use this resource to express their ideas and concerns.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at florence@the-pilot.com.