LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A resurfacing project has given drivers a headache in Brunswick County.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been working since October to repave US-17 in Leland. During that process, the division’s resident engineer, David Sawyer, says the wires that control the mechanisms that activate the traffic lights were likely cut or damaged. Those mechanisms are called “signal loops”.
While the project is ongoing, the traffic lights are running on timers and new lines have been painted to indicate where drivers must stop. The lines are further back than originally laid, leaving some drivers confused.
For some drivers, the timers take longer to change their lights than they are willing to wait. A driver sent video to WWAY of them waiting at a U-turn light between Magnolia Greens and Brunswick Forest. After about two and a half minutes, the two drivers in front get tired of waiting and run the red light.
“The downside, I get it, but you’re causing a danger to someone else and maybe yourself by executing that, so I’ll reiterate, just stop now where you see the current stop bar,” Sawyer said.
In the next two to three weeks, Sawyer anticipates the new sensors will be installed and most of the stop bars will be repainted in their original positions. This should resolve concerns about the long wait at traffic lights. If not, Sawyer says he doesn’t hesitate to contact his office if he has any questions or concerns.
While traffic lights may return to normal in the coming weeks, Sawyer says the resurfacing project along US-17 should be completed by late spring/early summer.