Residents report potholes, damaged signs and clogged ditches; county and DOT credited with quick fixes

Several Duplin County residents used the March 3 public comment period to report road issues and thank county and state staff for rapid repairs.

Speakers described a clogged ditch at the end of Jesse Pearsall Road that needs cleaning and said a pothole on Penny Branch Road had been repaired by about 10 a.m. the day it was reported. One resident said a tractor‑trailer repeatedly struck a stop sign and a street sign at the intersection near her mother's house on Carroll's and Blanchard Road; county staff later noted the sign was leaning but still standing.

Commissioner Branch updated the board that work at a curve on Lyman Road is progressing, with new tile being installed and a guardrail due to be installed after the contractor completes current work; he estimated completion within about three weeks. The county manager said he had forwarded public road complaints to the deputy county manager, who contacted N.C. Department of Transportation staff, and the deputy manager handled follow up. Commissioners credited DOT staff for prompt attention to the reported pothole and other repairs.

The board did not take formal action on road repairs during the meeting; issues were reported to county staff for follow up.

Public comment and staff updates in the meeting underscore the county's role in coordinating with state DOT for maintenance of state‑owned roads and with county crews for ditches and county‑owned infrastructure.