Board hears DOT plan for crosswalk, turn lanes on N.C. 74; right‑of‑way request included in consent agenda

The Anson County Board of Education heard a presentation from Lee Ainsworth, identified as a Department of Transportation representative, proposing a safety project on N.C. 74 near Anson High School that would add dedicated turn lanes, new sidewalks and a pit‑actuated pedestrian crossing.

Ainsworth told the board that funding for the project became available after a separate municipal project was canceled and that DOT sought the school board’s cooperation to donate the right‑of‑way needed to build the improvements. “We were able to get get permission to apply it here,” Ainsworth said. He described a configuration that would include a 12‑foot right‑turn lane from the outside edge of pavement, curb and gutter, a 3‑foot planning strip and a 5‑foot sidewalk to connect driveways and the crossing.

Why it matters: the crossing would link school property and nearby retail, and board members said students sometimes cross N.C. 74 to reach restaurants and convenience stores. Ainsworth said the crosswalk would use pit actuators so pedestrians could activate the crossing; the turn lane would not be a continuous free‑flowing turn lane but would remain stop‑controlled unless signal timing provided a dedicated green.

Board members pressed for detail on visibility and warning devices. One member asked whether the board could add advance warnings or a light to slow traffic before the signal; Ainsworth said DOT would have its traffic safety unit evaluate the location and recommend any additional measures. He noted site constraints and possible historic‑resource concerns: “we're gonna have to go do some ground penetrating radar to find any unmarked graves,” he said, adding his hope that the work could be completed without relocating anything.

The board returned the item as a request to donate right‑of‑way and placed that request in the meeting’s consent agenda. A board member asked whether they needed to vote on the donation that night; the chair replied, “It's in the consent agenda.” The board later moved, seconded and approved the consent agenda, which included the DOT right‑of‑way request.

Next steps: DOT will have its traffic safety staff review the site and provide recommendations on signal timing, visibility and any additional safety devices; the right‑of‑way donation was approved via the consent agenda and any required property conveyances or easements will follow the standard staff and legal process.