Recent News
FY 2027 Planning Work Program (PWP) Posted for Public Input
The CPRPO Rural Technical Coordinating Committee (RTCC) and Rural Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC) will be considering adoption of a Planning Work Program (PWP) at their April 9, 2026 meetings. This PWP will be for tasks to be completed in Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027). A draft of this document can be found below.
The public is welcome to submit comments on this document. Comments can be sent by email to kfuller@centralpinesnc.gov or mail to Karyl Fuller, Central Pines RPO, 4307 Emperor Blvd, Suite 110, Durham, NC 27703. These written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 16, 2026. Comments can also be given during the Public Hearing that will be held during the April 9, 2025 RTAC meeting, which will begin at 12:00 PM at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center, 1801 Nash Street, Sanford, NC.
Draft FY27 Planning Work Program:
Public Comment Period on Central Pines Rural Planning Organization’s Draft Transportation Project Prioritization Process
This methodology will be used by Central Pines RPO to give local input to the NC Department of Transportation on which transportation projects are the highest priority in our area. The Prioritization process covers all modes of transportation. The methodology will apply to proposed projects in Lee County, and the non-metropolitan portions of Chatham, Moore and Orange Counties.
The public is welcome to submit comments on this document. Comments can be sent by email to kfuller@centralpinesnc.gov or mail to Karyl Fuller, Central Pines RPO, 4307 Emperor Blvd, Suite 110, Durham, NC 27703. These written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 16, 2026. Comments can also be given during the Public Hearing that will be held during the April 9, 2026 RTAC meeting, which will begin at 12:00 PM at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center, 1801 Nash Street, Sanford, NC.
Education Wednesdays – All-Way Stops
Why Install an All-Way Stop?
An all-way stop is an effective and cost-efficient way to improve the safety of an intersection and reduce the risk of serious crashes. Converting intersections into all-way stops has been shown to reduce fatalities and injuries by 77 percent.
The N.C. Department of Transportation recommends an all-way stop only after a thorough evaluation of the intersection. That evaluation includes an analysis of the traffic volumes, crash history, sight distance and a field investigation.
Benefits of an All-Way Stop
- Improves safety while causing a minimal increase in travel time.
- Reduces the need for drivers to wait until there is a safe gap in opposing traffic.
- Are more predictable compared to traffic signals.
- Can serve as a temporary solution until a permanent improvement, such as a roundabout, can be funded and constructed.
- Are more cost-effective than other types of safety projects.
Crash Reductions
Source: A 2010 NCDOT study of 53 locations
Converting an intersection into an all-way stop has shown the following crash reductions on average:
68 percent in total crashes
77 percent in fatal and injury crashes
75 percent in frontal-impact crashes
2023 National Roadway Safety Award Recipient
In the fall of 2023, NCDOT was honored by the Roadway Safety Foundation for reducing the number of fatal and serious injury crashes at rural intersections, particularly through the use of all-way stops. The department implemented a systematic and widespread approach that relied on data analysis to target and evaluate hundreds of intersections.
The department added, mostly since 2020, all-way stops to more than 350 rural intersections. As of the fall of 2022, those intersections showed a 55 percent reduction in total crashes and a 92 percent drop in crashes with fatalities and severe injuries. Put another way: Nine of every 10.
What to do at an All-Way Stop
- The first vehicle at the intersection has the right of way;
- When two or more vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right of way and may go straight or, if legal and after signaling, turn left or right;
- When two facing vehicles approach an intersection simultaneously, both drivers can move straight ahead or turn right. If one driver is going straight while the other wants to turn left, the driver who wants to turn left must yield; and
- Even with the right of way, drivers should remember to use appropriate turn signals and watch for pedestrians and other vehicles.
Smoother Roads Coming to Chatham County
SILER CITY – More than 40 miles of roadway across Chatham County will be milled and resurfaced after the N.C. Department of Transportation approved a $8 million bid this week.
The work includes these two highways:
- N.C. 902 from N.C. 22 to U.S. 421, totaling 11.5 miles
- U.S. 64 Business from the U.S. 64 Bypass to U.S. 15-501, totaling 2.8 miles
Additionally, sections of these 16 secondary routes will be repaved by Cardinal Civil Contracting LLC of Raleigh:
- Hollands Chapel Road
- Big Woods Road
- North Pea Ridge Road
- Seaforth Road
- Siler City Glendon Road
- Taylor Road
- Jones Ferry Road
- Pea Ridge Road
- Luther Road
- Whippoorwill Lane
- Old Farrington Road
- Chatham Church Road
- Mount Pisgah Church Road
- Old Chestnut Crossing Road
- Neodak
- Village Park Drive
The work will take place this summer.
NCDOT Awards Repaving Contract for Lee County
SANFORD – About 20 miles of roadway will be improved by milling and resurfacing of the pavement and the placing of high-visibility thermoplastic lane markings.
The work will be done to these sections:
- U.S. 15/501 from the Lee-Moore county line to the U.S. 1/15/501 junction and its ramps
- U.S. 1 in the Tramway area
- Villanow Drive
- Harrington Place
- Twin Bridge Circle
- Holly Pond Road
- Persimmon Path
- Sugar Creek Drive
- Blacks Chapel Road
- Gunther Road
- East Forest Oaks Drive
- West Forest Oaks Drive
- Breezewood Road
- Buckhorn Road
- South Plank Road
- Johnston Cemetery Road
The N.C. Department of Transportation this week awarded the $3 million contract to Fayetteville-based Highland Paving Co. LLC.
The contractor may proceed this spring, and will have until the fall of 2027 to complete all of the work
***NCDOT***
Agenda Posted for February 12, 2026 RTAC Meeting
Central Pines RPO will have a Rural Transportation Advisory Committee meeting on February 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 US-64 BUS, Pittsboro, NC 27312. The public is welcome to attend in-person.
Agenda Posted for February 12, 2026 RTCC Meeting
Central Pines RPO will have a Rural Transportation Coordinating Committee meeting on February 12, 2026 at 10:30 AM at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 US-64 BUS, Pittsboro, NC 27312. The public is welcome to attend in-person.