Asheboro alters traffic at intersection

Here’s the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro. (City of Asheboro photo)

ASHEBORO — There’s a new all-way stop at the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro — and more all-way stops could be on the way.

The change is a provisional conversion, according to city officials. It’s part of a potential cost-saving switch, assistant city manager Trevor Nuttall said.

The city announced the decision to analyze the intersection after reviewing traffic data and assessing the cost to replace an out-of-date signal. A replacement would be estimated to exceed $70,000.

“The equipment, which is at least 30 years old, is operational but maintenance issues and repair frequencies have been increasing over the last several years,” Nuttall said. “The city’s ability to find or fabricate replacement parts has become exceedingly difficult and time-consuming.”

City personnel will monitor the intersection to ensure it functions safely. The conversion will be made permanent at a later date if no concerns are identified.

Two other city-maintained intersections (at Elm and Worth and at Brewer and Elm) will be studied for similar reasons in the next several weeks.

Nuttall said the three intersections being studied are the only traffic signals owned and maintained by the city.

All-way stop intersections give the first vehicle to stop at the intersection the right to proceed first. When two more vehicles reach the intersection simultaneously, the vehicle to the right has the right of way and may go straight or, if legal, turn left or right. Signals should be used for all turns.