Motorists can no longer access N.C. 211 from McFarland Road.

The village of Pinehurst permanently closed the intersection Friday to convert McFarland Road to a cul-de-sac.

The closure will eliminate one access point to N.C. 211 and will reduce potential conflicts with ambulances coming and going from FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s emergency room. McFarland Road sits directly across from the ambulance entrance/exit drive to the emergency department.

Going forward, residents and visitors to McFarland Road will need to access McFarland via McLeod Road, which can be reached by Page or Dundee roads. The school bus stop on McFarland will be located at the intersection of McFarland and McLeod.

The change was first proposed last fall by Village Councilman John Strickland during his campaign.

During the campaign, Strickland said residents who live on McFarland indicated to him that because of the ongoing work to widen N.C. 211, people were increasingly using the street as a shortcut or cut-through to avoid delays caused by traffic congestion.

Strickland said this week that he is pleased that multiple agencies have worked together to make the closure a reality.

“I think it will affect the neighborhood very nicely,” he said. “I think they (residents) are very excited to see the project start today (Friday).”

The Moore County Schools Transportation Department, village emergency responders and emergency medical services have all been notified of the change.

Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or tembrey@thepilot.com.