NC DOT officials to provide details
Residents of Benson will get a long-awaited look at a proposed roundabout for one of the most congested areas of the Johnston County community.
According to North Carolina Department of Transportation officials, a public meeting on the need for a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 301 (Wall Street) and N.C. 50 (Main Street), the proposed project also calls for the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk.
What NCDOT is characterizing as an informal meeting will take place Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Benson Town Hall, located at 303 E. Church St.
State officials will use the informal session to gather public input on the roundabout and to answer questions residents may have concerning the project.
The mini-roundabout which is being proposed, would be the best solution to resolving safety and traffic issues at arguably the busiest intersection in Benson.
According to NCDOT statistics, a total of 56 crashes — eight involving injury — have occurred at the intersection over the last 10 years. The majority of those crashes have involved rear-end, left-turn and T-boned collisions. State officials say because roundabouts force drivers to slow down, the improvement will reduce the number and severity of crashes.
During a November 2017 Benson Town Board of Commissioners meeting, the situation was addressed by town and state officials. Both believe it will be the best option — and the option which will call for no acquisition of property or right of way adjacent to the intersection.
-The Daily Record
