UPDATE: Drivers take to social media for traffic concerns on 211

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Construction near a busy intersection in the Oak Island and Southport area continues and so does the congestion.

For Susan Warren, Books ‘N Stuff owner, traffic in the area of highway 211 and long beach road is getting worse now that it’s summer time.

“It’s getting to be a pain in the neck and you would think it would have gotten better but it’s not,” said Warren. “To me especially coming into the tourism season when people are coming into the area and they are unfamiliar with the area, unfamiliar with where they are supposed to turn unfamiliar with the traffic pattern. They really need to do something about that.”

And with the completion date of the project more than a year out, people are turning to social media for help. Southport NC Traffic Reports is a FaceBook page started just over a week ago by Tamie Keel.

“I worked EMS many years. I’ve had my share of calls for bad accidents, both out there and behind the scene. If I can just be a small part of making it a safer place I’m happy,” said Keel.

The page not only updates for drivers on accidents, but also the project’s progress. Sources say the Long Beach Extension should be complete in the next couple of weeks Keel says that will be a huge help.

But no matter how long the project lasts, drivers says everyone just needs to be alert at all times.

“You’re in an older community where drivers tend to be a bit slower. And then you have the vacationing crowd that might not have the time, so if you put those two together it’s a little bit of a dangerous recipe,” said Stewart Moore.

“If people would slow down a little bit and be observant of the congestion and get in their correct lane I think traffic will flow much better,” said Priscilla Wheeler.

We’ve called the DOT to get the definitive completion date for the Long Beach Extension but those calls have not been returned.

Officials say other parts of the project which includes creating a new road from Highway 87 to Long Beach should be finished by the end of this year or early next year.