Vicinity Map

Project Overview

The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes improvements to the Pinehurst Traffic Circle from Page Road (S.R. 1208) to South of Pinehurst Manor Drive in Moore County.

The primary needs to be addressed by the project are traffic mobility, capacity and safety at the traffic circle. Delays of several minutes occur during peak travel times through the traffic circle. Vehicle congestion and excessive queuing result in substantial safety and crash issues for motorists who use the traffic circle. Over the past five years, there has been an average of one crash every 2+ days. The project will reduce congestion and improve safety and mobility. The total length of the project is approximately 1 mile.

Current Conditions

• The existing typical section in the project area consists of a single-lane traffic circle with right-turn by-pass lanes and free-flow merge lanes at each of the 5 entrance and exit points.

Proposed Conditions:

• The proposed design would create signalized intersections on the east and west sides of the circle with a roadway connecting N.C. 211 and N.C. 2. The intersections would function as coordinated traffic signals to maintain traffic flow.
• Midland Road’s existing connection would be modified to turn traffic from the Village entering the Circle to a new signalized U-turn intersection with U.S. 15-501 on the south side of the Circle.
• The design includes constructing a roundabout at the N.C. 2 and Airport Road intersection.
• Aesthetics will retain the “feel” of the circle from each of the five approaches. Landscaping and decorative plantings will be included to mitigate changes from the existing circle’s appearance. 

Project History

The Pinehurst Traffic Circle has long been a key intersection in the region, serving thousands of motorists daily. Over the years, traffic volumes and safety concerns have prompted NCDOT to explore ways to improve traffic flow and safety at the circle.

Since 2013, NCDOT has evaluated over 20 different designs to improve traffic mobility and increase capacity at the traffic circle. Early concepts like multi-lane roundabouts and interchanges offered some benefits but didn’t meet long-term traffic needs or posed navigation challenges.

In July 2024, NCDOT hosted 3 public meetings to present the previous design and gather feedback from the public and stakeholders. While the previous design produced the best traffic operations and safety benefits when compared to previously proposed designs, feedback from local residents and elected officials did not support this design. Comments received during this period cited aesthetic issues, a strong desire to maintain the “feel” of the existing circle, right-of-way impact concerns, and concerns about the how motorists would navigate through the design. 

In response, NCDOT developed a more conventional alternative, designed to balance traffic improvements with community preferences.

View a brief presentation of the project here.

The current design features two intersections on either side of the circle with a roadway connecting N.C. 211 and N.C. 2, three synchronized traffic signals, and minimal changes to the Midland Road entry way to the Village. The design includes constructing a roundabout at the N.C. 2 and Airport Road intersection.

To watch the Pinehurst full project video click here

Or click on the image below

U.S. 15-501 north and south would run around the edges of the retained circle. The traffic would appear as one-way movements, stopping at signalized intersections with N.C. 2 and N.C. 211.

To watch the U.S. 15-501 Northbound approach video click here

Or click on the image below

To watch the U.S. 15-501 Southbound approach video click here

Or click on the image below

N.C. 2 heading west would connect directly to N.C. 211, traveling through the current circle. There would be lighted intersections where U.S. 15-501 north and south connect.

To watch N.C. 211 Eastbound approach video click here

Or click on the image below

A roundabout at N.C. 2 and Airport Road would control traffic flow outside of the main intersection.

To watch N.C. 2 West and Airport Road approach video click here

Or click on the image below

N.C. 2 heading west would connect directly to N.C. 211, traveling through the current circle. There would be lighted intersections where U.S. 15-501 north and south connect.

To watch N.C. 2 Westbound approach video click here

Or click on the image below

The Midland Road entrance to Pinehurst would be retained. Traffic eastbound would have a merge lane toward U.S. 15-501 south and turn lanes toward Carthage and Southern Pines.

To watch Midland Road Eastbound approach click here

Or click on the image below

To watch the driver's view from U.S. 15-501 north to N.C. 211 west approach video click here

To watch the driver's view from N.C. 211 east to U.S. 15-501 south approach video click here

To watch the driver's view from N.C. 2 to Midland Road west approach video click here

To watch the driver's view from Midland Road to N.C. 2 east approach video click here

Project Map

To view or download project map click here or on the map below

(The map will open in a new window for viewing or downloading)

The map file is large and may be slow to load.

Typicals

U.S. 15-501 North/South of N.C. 2

N.C. 211 Yadkin Road West of U.S. 15-501

N.C. 2 Midland Road East of U.S. 15-501

Midland Road West of U.S. 15-501

Airport Road to Roundabout

Project Funding

It is anticipated that the overall cost estimate for the proposed design will be approximately $30 million less than the previous design.

Project Timeline

*  Future dates are subject to change

The Traffic Circle project is expected to be constructed between the 2029 and 2035 U.S. Opens and is planned to be combined with the widening of U.S. 15-501 (R-5927) north of the Traffic Circle to better coordinate construction and traffic control throughout the project duration.

Project Comments

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.

To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,

please submit before November 12, 2025

The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, by email, or project hotline:

Email: pinehursttrafficcircle@publicinput.com

Hotline: 984-205-6615    enter project code 7045 to leave a message.

Project Contacts

RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 

Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.  

     
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout      Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

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