Starting today, the N.C. Department of Transportation has reduced Third Street from four lanes to two lanes. Signal lights along affected areas of street will be replaced with all-way stop signs.
NCDOT will close the inside lanes of Third Street from Horner Boulevard to the dead end at the Sanford Municipal Center during the initial phase of the project. Traffic will flow uninterrupted in the outside lanes. Signal lanes will flash red during this phase.
Crews will then mill, pave, and mark the affected sections of street with two lanes, a center turning lane, and bicycle lanes in both directions.
All-way stop signs will be installed at the following intersections: Third Street and McIntosh Street, Third Street and Rose Street, Third Street and McIver Street, Third Street and Charlotte Avenue. Signal lights at these intersections will flash red for two weeks before being removed.
These permanent traffic changes align with NCDOT’s Complete Streets policy, which directs the department to replace travel lanes with bicycle lanes, sidewalks, or side paths in areas with lower vehicular travel counts. The policy is aimed at reducing the speeds at which vehicles can travel on secondary corridors, which improves safety for all.
NCDOT completed similar changes to Seventh Street and portions of Charlotte Avenue in 2019.