JULIAN - The N.C. Department of Transportation will improve traffic flow and safety by removing a center crossover intersection on U.S. 421 in Randolph County next month.
An NCDOT contractor will close the left-turn movements from Shiloh Road/Colonial Trading Path to U.S. 421 on March 20 to reduce the possibility of t-bone and angle crashes at this location.
Drivers will soon turn right from Shiloh Road or Colonial Trading Path, travel on U.S. 421 for a short distance and safely make a u-turn to travel on their desired route.
In addition, U.S. 421 will be reduced to one lane of travel in each direction beginning on March 20 and lasting into the autumn.
This lane reduction will allow the contractor to work on the outside shoulders and aid in construction.
The speed limit will also be reduced to 55 mph in the work zone within the project limits. This speed limit reduction is also expected to include a $250 penalty for speeding within a work zone.
The work is part of a larger project to improve intersections along U.S. 421 surrounding the Greensboro Randolph Megasite.
NCDOT has collaborated with local officials, Randolph County Emergency Management, Randolph County Schools, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in an effort to improve traffic mobility and safety in the area.
The detour routes are as follows:
From Shiloh Road:
- Take U.S. 421 South to Old Liberty Road.
- Take Old Liberty Road to U.S. 421 North.
- Take U.S. 421 North to Colonial Trading Path.
From Colonial Trading Path:
- Take U.S. 421 North to N.C. 62.
- Take N.C. 62 to U.S. 421 South.
- Take U.S. 421 South to Shiloh Road.
Motorists are reminded to slow down and remain alert when approaching the work zone and detour.