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Residents urge Mocksville to press NCDOT for fixes at Harvest Way–Highway 158 intersection
Summary
Residents told the Mocksville Town Council that repeated crashes and limited sight lines at the Harvest Way–Highway 158 intersection endanger young drivers and asked the council to formally recommend safety changes to NCDOT, including speed reductions, signage and a roundabout.
Yolanda Morris, a Mocksville resident who lives on Harvest Way, told the town council at its July meeting that multiple crashes at the Harvest Way–Highway 158 intersection have left neighbors fearful for the safety of teen drivers and other residents.
“I'm trying to keep our kids, our families, anybody turning over there from being killed,” Morris said, describing recent collisions and saying she had contacted NCDOT. Morris said NCDOT proposed adding a left-turn lane from 158 onto Country Lane but that the lane, placed on an uphill approach, would create sight-line problems and would not address speeding on the highway.
Other speakers from Harvest Way echoed Morris. Jeremy Gordon said new townhome development on Country Lane will add traffic and that a turning lane could create a blind spot. David Morris described recurring “deadlock” situations in which queued vehicles block Country Lane and Harvest Way, leaving drivers unable to enter or exit without risking a rear-end collision. Jennifer Gordon warned that a turn lane could increase the risk of side-impact (T-bone) crashes.
Residents asked the council to recommend that NCDOT examine alternatives including lowering the speed limit near the Dollar General, adding clear stop lines and signs, and studying a roundabout as a longer-term fix. Morris acknowledged some community resistance to roundabouts but said they would slow traffic and improve safety.
Council members acknowledged the public concern and said staff would look into next steps with state officials. “We hear it and we'll do what we can to help,” the mayor said during the exchange. Lee, a town staff member who received the presentation materials, confirmed staff had already talked with NCDOT representatives and advised the council that the agency had identified the location for design work but that final decisions rest with NCDOT.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting beyond noting the public comments; residents asked the council to make a formal recommendation to NCDOT and were told staff would follow up with the state agency and report back to the council.
The town council’s next step is internal staff follow-up and, if appropriate, a formal recommendation to NCDOT for further study or design changes.
