Leaders suggest changing work times, following laws to help Leland traffic mess

CASTLE HAYNE, NC (WWAY) — With more than two years of construction still to go in Leland, is there anything that can be done now to curb the constant bumper-to-bumper traffic?

That’s exactly what leaders dicussed with the Department of Transportation in a standing-room-only meeting at the the DOT office in Castle Hayne this afternoon. But what solutions did they come up with?

“The suggestions about allowing people to merge at one point versus multiple points in a merge lane, I think that is a good idea,” Leland Town Manager David Hollis said. “I think lowering the speed limit is a great idea.”

But many drivers argued lowering the speed limit in the construction zone of US 17/74/76 is laughable, because there is no way to speed when you are often at a dead stop.

NCDOT Division Engineer Karen Fussell says one of the better solutions lies with employers.

“What I would like to suggest is that employers think about changing some shifts and some schedules,” Fussell said. “Maybe starting a half hour, 45 minutes early, come in a half hour, 45 minutes later. I think that could be exteremly beneficial.”

But what can be done about unruly drivers who break the law and cause dangerous conditions for other drivers?

“Just quit doing it,” Hollis said. “Traffic works a lot better when people stay in their lanes and obey the traffic laws.”

And those who don’t obey the law? Hollis says he is working closely with Leland Police Chief Mike James to keep drivers in line.

And while everyone hopes to speed up the commute, Fussell says there is no way to speed up the project because of fish habitats in the Brunswick River.

“We’re restricted to in-water work three months out of the year,” she said.

The three-month period starts Oct. 1.

Fussell says they will hold another meeting in Brunswick County so residents can voice their concerns. No word yet on when or where that will be.