Volunteer who cleans Nursery Road warns commissioners of repeated crashes, asks DOT involvement and more enforcement

Larry Mitchell, a volunteer who said he works with the county Keep Harnett Beautiful program, told the Harnett County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 that he regularly collects litter along Nursery Road and has frequently found vehicle parts near the road following crashes. Mitchell described multiple recent collisions at intersections including Overhills, Bridal Road, Docks Road and Ray Road and said some crashes showed no skid marks indicating red‑light or stop‑sign violations.

“Nursery Road is a very dangerous road,” Mitchell said. He asked the county to meet with the state delegation to request that the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) inspect the road, and he suggested the county consider a pilot program with DOT to address citizen road‑safety concerns as neighborhoods grow in the corridor.

Mitchell also urged more enforcement and suggested changes to emergency‑vehicle light color for visibility (as he described it in his remarks). He described encountering beer cans and other debris during cleanups and said volunteers are sometimes put at risk by drivers who drift onto the shoulder.

Board reaction: Commissioners thanked Mitchell, recognized the risk and noted anecdotal concerns from neighbors. No formal action was taken at the Jan. 6 meeting on Nursery Road; one commissioner commented that increased police presence and DOT involvement were valid requests and that staff would follow up as appropriate.

Why it matters: As subdivisions and traffic increase on Nursery Road, repeated crashes and the presence of debris raise safety concerns for residents and volunteers who clean roadsides. Mitchell asked the board to involve NCDOT and state legislators so state resources and road design changes can be considered.