Aberdeen Raises Concerns on U.S. 1 Options

As of Thursday, February 2, 2012

The effect of improvements to U.S. 1 on local towns as part of a countywide transportation plan remains a concern for Aberdeen town officials.

Aberdeen leaders voiced those concerns with N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) officials during the board’s meeting Tuesday. Mayor Betsy Mofield and council member Jim Thomas did not attend the meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem Robbie Farrell expressed concern that possible changes to U.S. 1 — no matter if that is turning the road into a limited access freeway or creating a bypass — would split Aberdeen and impact others.

“The towns are going to feel the brunt of it,” he said.

In recent months, NCDOT officials have reached out to Moore County residents and public officials in a effort to gather public input on highway needs and routing preferences. That information will be used by the Moore County Transportation Committee to develop a plan for future highway improvements.

Currently, Moore County has no such plan. During the meeting in Aberdeen, NCDOT officials stressed that without a plan, the county could be adversely affected when it comes to getting money for projects throughout the county.

On Tuesday, NCDOT officials said that without a plan, future projects within the county could be delayed or left unfunded.

Frances Bisby, a traffic engineer with NCDOT, also said there are no lines on maps for any roads at this point and that NCDOT is still gathering information.

“Part of my job is to get data collected,” Bisby said. “I’ve got to be able to look at all the alternatives, and you have to trust me. I’m not going to hit the things you don’t want me to, and it’s not going anywhere unless you all (Moore County) bless it.”

Bisby told the board that Moore County’s transportation infrastructure is vital to supporting expected growth, as well as public safety and well-being, economic development and statewide mobility.

The Moore County Transportation committee is made up 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.

Among the roadways under consideration for improvements are U.S. 1, the N.C. 211/western connector and N.C. 24-47 near Carthage. Most of the needs stem from heavy traffic congestion along N.C. 211, N.C. 5, U.S. 1 and U.S. 15-501.

Some residents have said they believe the improvements — especially to U.S. 1 — would adversely affect businesses and natural areas, such as the Walthour-Moss Foundation in Southern Pines Horse Country.

Much of the input from the Aberdeen commissioners centered around U.S. 1 and other possible modes of travel, such as commuter rail, that would divert traffic from U.S. 1.

“I don’t see how anybody wants to see this (U.S. 1) as a 65-mph freeway,” Farrell said.

Bisby said something will have to be done to improve U.S. 1 to accommodate future growth.

Aberdeen Planning Director Kathy Liles said she realizes there are no easy answers.

“I’m in a little bit of panic, because any of the solutions that are proposed for the next 30 or 40 years aren’t going to come without pain for somebody,” she said.

In other business, the board set a public hearing for 6 p.m. Feb. 13 on a zoning code amendment to regulate the keeping of chickens. The meeting will be held at the Robert N. Page Municipal Building.

Contact Tom Embrey at tembrey@thepilot.com.

More like this story

MichaelFlorence 1 year, 3 months ago

From what I understand the majority of the traffic on US 1 comes from local people utilizing the road. The traffic counts I have seen show a huge drop-off on the cars counted both North and South of Aberdeen/Southern Pines.
It would improve flow greatly if the traffic lights could be better coordinated so that traffic does not bunch up. Adding a limited access area between Pinehurst Avenue and the intersection w 15-501 might also help.
A bypass is a very bad and expensive idea. Tweaking our current stretch of US 1 a little will save us big dividends down the road - no pun intended.

greatbrit 1 year, 3 months ago

But at least a by pass would allow the towns to reconnect. Pinebluff is split into two by the monster of US1 and as far as I am aware there are no plans to bypass that. Thinking of Aberdeen, and to a lesser extent Southern Pines, without the constant traffic snarl ups would be worth any upheaval. The traffic lights I agree ARE a mess, no co-ordination and timed to STOP cars not keep them flowing. Being stopped when you're the only car on all four roads is stupid, costly and unnecessary.

bruce28258 1 year, 3 months ago

The article indicates that they are looking 30 to 40 years out. Those are the traffic numbers that will determine what is proposed. I think the plans will be something a little bit bigger than tweaking some traffic lights (which I agree need to be done).

Another thing I find odd is that so many people are talking about a bypass and DOT says there is no bypass (or there are "no lines on maps") - it is even in this article. I've asked before, and I will ask again, can someone give me a link for any CURRENT plans for a bypass? Old stuff that was never adopted doesn't count. If not, I gotta believe what DOT is saying.

Toda 1 year, 3 months ago

MichaelFlorence,

consider the fact that when the rail crossing US 1 is blocked for as much as 30 minutes, traffic can back up to the Southern Pines split. Can't go up, can't go down, and can't go around to get to HWY 5. There needs to be an overhead roadway to ease traffic congestion on US !. Go over with access roads to 1 and 15, 501 would ease pass through traffic to Raleigh and Chapel Hill, and local traffic could move more easily from Southern Pines to Pinebluff.

I will sell for tax value since it is 10K more than the last two appraisals. Come on down exit to Hwy 5.