The N.C. Department of Transportation will permanently close a portion of Gold Knob Road near U.S. 52 in Rockwell next week. The closure is being done as part of the NCDOT’s “Spot” Safety Program, which uses smaller projects to address safety, potential safety, and operational issues.

Improvements like this will be taking place across the state as part of Governor McCrory’s effort to improve highway safety. He announced earlier this year that $50 million will be dedicated to address safety concerns, with the goal being to reduce the number of traffic accidents throughout North Carolina.

“Intersections work better and they are safer if they come together in a perpendicular manner; Gold Knob is located at a skewed angle approaching U.S. 52 and this has proven to be difficult to navigate thus closing the intersection is a safer option,” said Division nine Assistant Resident Engineer Phillip Craver.

The permanent closure will take place on Monday at 8 a.m.

Traffic will be able to access portions of Gold Knob Road by using Park Drive and Anthony Road.

NCDOT reminds motorists to pay extra attention while getting used to the new traffic pattern.