by Josh Lanier

HUNTERSVILLE – Making a turn onto Sam Furr or Statesville roads will get a little trickier next month as a new “quad left” intersection is set to open March 7, after years of work widening N.C. 73.

The new intersection will bar motorists from making left turns at the busy junction as a way to keep traffic flowing smoothly, but figuring out the new pattern is going to take a learning curve.

• Drivers heading west on N.C. 73 who want to take a left onto U.S. 21 South will need to turn left on Holly Point Drive and then left onto U.S. 21.

• Drivers heading east on N.C. 73 who want to take a left onto U.S. 21 North will have to drive past U.S. 21, make a right onto Holly Point Drive and another right onto U.S. 21 North.

• Drivers on U.S. 21 will still be able to make left turns onto N.C. 73 in both directions.

Transportation officials briefed Huntersville commissioners Monday, Feb. 20, on the changes. Residents should expect emails and leaflets in the mail explaining the intersection soon.

Along with the pamphlets, drivers will see signs explaining the intersection, road cones and barrels will be in place and police will be on hand to re-enforce the new rules. Police Chief Phil Potter said police would issue warnings for the first seven to 10 days to give drivers a chance to fully understand the intersection before issuing tickets.

But if all else fails, traffic planners believe they have another training tool that might be the most effective: peer pressure.

“No one is going to make a left turn with a bunch of cars behind them honking,” said Max Buchanan, director of Huntersville’s engineering and public works.

But with the information going out, Buchanan expects a short learning curve before drivers learn the system.

Buchanan said drivers should call the N.C. DOT with any questions about the new traffic pattern.

Huntersville officials put the state transportation department’s phone number on the town’s webpage during Monday’s meeting.

Questions or concerns about the project can be made to the state engineer’s office at 704-455-2958.

See the new pattern

To see how the new traffic patterns will look visit www.ncdot.gov/projects/NC73widening and scroll to the bottom of the page for a YouTube video demonstrating the turns.