The Gazette launches a new feature this week.
Each week we will take questions from our readers in the community and then go out to find the answers. The questions can be as simple as “How do I get a bothersome pothole fixed?” or “When is the state going to widen my road?” Maybe you want to know what’s being built on a particular spot or how to get rid of that broken-down refrigerator.
There are no limits.
This week’s question comes from Jay Jones, who lives near the Cramerton crossroads area. That’s the stretch of U.S. 74 near Food Lion and Burger King that divides McAdenville and Cramerton.
Jones asks: What would it take to get some kind of median or divider at Cramerton crossroads? There has already been one death because of people crossing double yellow lines to cut through Burger King’s parking lot instead of waiting through the light. I was almost hit on my bike a few weeks back because of the same thing.
Here’s the answer: Jay Jones is right about a recent fatality at that spot. In June, a motorcyclist lost her life and another driver was ticketed for making a left-hand turn there at the Burger King restaurant.
We put the question to Hank Graham, who helps lead a regional transportation board as part of his role as a lead transportation planner for the city of Gastonia.
Graham says instead of a median, local transportation officials would like to see an additional turn lane added at that spot to help move traffic through the light.
But because U.S. 74 is considered a state-maintained highway at that stretch, it will be up to the state Department of Transportation to decide whether to fund the project, Graham said. State transportation officials make the funding decisions, but do seek input from local governments.
The state would consider several other factors, including what the change would accomplish, whether it would require the road to be widened and if there if enough right of way. DOT would also consider the cost of the project and any accident history.
You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-869-1823 or Twitter.com/TheGazetteKevin.
Have a question you want The Gazette to help answer about living in your community? Email your question to Online Editor Kevin Ellis at kellis@gastongazette.com or call 704-869-1823.