The N.C. Department of Transportation is making safety improvements to the intersection of Deal and Unity Church roads in Atwell Township in Rowan County.
NCDOT crash statistics show eight collisions have occurred at this intersection in the past five years — the most recent involving injuries over the July Fourth holiday weekend. Based on the results of the department’s investigation, crews are enhancing signage, trimming tree limbs that are blocking visibility and painting lines on the road to help prevent future accidents.
“Safety is our number-one priority,” said NCDOT Division 9 Engineer Pat Ivey. “By making these changes, motorists will have more advanced notice that the intersection is ahead and better see how traffic is flowing through the area.”
The improvements include:
• Upgrading the existing 36-inch by 36-inch stop signs on Deal and Unity Church roads to 48-inch by 48-inch stop signs;
• Installing a “Stop Sign Ahead” warning sign on northbound Unity Church Road. A similar warning sign is already in place on southbound Unity Church Road;
• Relocating one “Intersection Ahead” warning sign on Deal Road and replacing the other;
• Trimming the tree limbs along northbound Unity Church Road; and
• Installing stop bars along Unity Church Road. Stop bars are 24-inch-wide lines painted on the pavement across the travel lane to frame the intersection and help drivers see where they need to stop and look before proceeding through the intersection.
NCDOT crews are currently scheduled to complete the work by Friday. While they are making the improvements, motorists are encouraged to slow down and pay attention as they travel through the work zone.
For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel or follow NCDOT on Twitter at www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter.