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Council backs temporary bollards, stop-bar marking to curb risky right‑turns at South Fork–Indian Trail intersection
Summary
Council and staff agreed by consensus to pursue temporary flexible bollards and stop-bar changes at the South Fork Road–Indian Trail Road intersection to limit drivers cutting around stopped vehicles; staff said the measure is quicker and cheaper than installing a full signal before the Complete Street project.
After reviewing crash data and public concerns about accidents at the South Fork Road–Indian Trail Road intersection, council members and staff agreed by consensus to install temporary flexible bollards (guideposts) and pursue stop‑bar changes to keep vehicles from passing on the right across the curb radii.
Staff said the intersection meets signal warrants in the long-term Complete Street design, and town plans include a signal as part of the planned Indian Trail Road Complete Street project. But staff and the sheriff’s office cautioned that installing a permanent signal now would be costly (staff cited typical signal installation estimates and long lead times for mast arms) and would likely be removed or modified during the Complete Street construction.
Union County deputies and town engineering staff recommended lower-cost, temporary measures that can be installed quickly: double rows of flexible bollards placed at the pavement edge and painted/striped stop bars where appropriate. Captain Mullis said enforcement and slowing the approaches — and discouraging drivers from cutting around stopped cars — reduced crashes in recent years, and staff noted DOT review may be required for permanent changes to pavement markings and stop bars on state routes.
Council agreed by consensus to proceed with temporary bollards and follow-up coordination with NCDOT on stop-bar marking and enforcement. Staff said they had already submitted the bollard concept to NCDOT and would move forward while monitoring crash data through the year.
