The North Carolina Department of Transportation is ushering in some much-needed improvements along a 10-mile stretch of N.C. 690, with a focus on enhancing highway safety and ride quality for Cumberland and Moore counties' commuters. According to the NCDOT's announcement, two distinct highway divisions are tackling the project in phases, utilizing various contractors to execute the upgrades.
For instance, a portion of N.C. 690 known as Fort Liberty has seen around 6 miles of its expanse resurfaced, gaining broader paved shoulders that promise a more forgiving margin of safety. In a subsequent phase, high-visibility pavement markings and rumble strips along both the center and edge lines are set to be added to the same stretch to cue drivers in. Almost 2 miles near McPherson Road, and another 2.2 miles section leading up to the Buffalo Creek bridge is on the docket for similar upgrades, with a contract expected to be awarded next year.
Amid these enhancements, Division 8 of the NCDOT also aims to overhaul segments in Moore County with further improvements, which include the addition of turn lanes anticipated in a 2028 project. The department is looking to commence the right-of-way acquisitions for this impending endeavor as early as next month.
Moore County's N.C. 690 has already witnessed some safety uplifts by Division 8, such as the installation of all-way stops at the intersection with McPherson Road, and the positioning of flexible bollards — the latter serving the dual purpose of marking the convergence of N.C. 690 and Morrison Bridge Road, and channelling traffic with greater efficiency. These measures collectively forge a path toward diminished risks and a smoother transit experience for the region's daily drivers.
