The Town of Southern Shores has made a change to the hours of the weekend left turn ban onto South Dogwood Trail, and has been able to work with a popular mobile app as part of efforts to reduce the amount of traffic cutting through the town’s narrow streets.
Starting this weekend, the left turn lane from eastbound U.S. 158 at the Dogwood Trail intersection will be blocked from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The left turn signal will also remain red.
The town said that while the left-hand turn is prohibited, that doesn’t stop traffic from finding a way around the barrels.
“There is a large amount of traffic coming from points south and making a right turn on South Dogwood,” the town said in a news release Friday. “It is important to note that this prohibition applies to all vehicles, including residents and property owners.”
Waze has agreed to indicate on its app that there are eight road closures in Southern Shores:
- South Dogwood and US 158
- East Dogwood for traffic going north on Hickory Trail
- Hillcrest Drive
- Sea Oats Trail
- Wax Myrtle Trail
- Hickory for traffic going north on Hillcrest
- Sea Oats and Wax Myrtle
- Hillcrest for traffic going north on Sea Oats
“Local Traffic Only” signs, along with barricades have been placed on South Dogwood for traffic going north on Hickory Trail, Hillcrest Drive, Sea Oats Trail and Wax Myrtle Trail as another deterrent.
Similar signs and barricades will be placed on Hickory Trail at Hillcrest Drive, Sea Oats and Wax Myrtle as well as Hillcrest Drive and Sea Oats Trail beginning this weekend.
“As always, Town Council and the town staff are appreciative of the comments and suggestions that citizens have submitted, all of which have been or are being considered,” according to Friday’s announcement. “The Council continues to monitor the impact of summer traffic and will implement additional measures as appropriate.”