Written by: Andrew Kegley, Board member, STARS Charter School

A meeting with NCDOT is scheduled for this week. Hopefully, the fact someone is talking to
the school indicates some sort of potential progress. Yet uncertainty is still present—will
this create the foundation for an actual plan, or will the current state of limbo simply
continue?

It should not be forgotten how this process began. Deputies were removed from US-1 only
after the request of county commissioners, not because of the school. A question has
lingered ever since: What plan was envisioned? Was the idea simply to keep traffic flowing
on US-1 South and then see what might happen next?
Anticipated DOT Stance

It is anticipated that DOT will note the current improvements in traffic flow on US-1 South
and suggest that the current flow be allowed to continue while they “keep tabs.” DOT has its
own set of metrics that define acceptability. Agreement with that approach is not required
for those living with the daily challenges, but acknowledgment must be given that those are
the standards by which DOT operates-for better or for worse.

By these standards, even a turn lane graded as failing (LOS F) can still be judged
“acceptable.” Acceptable by formula, but punishing in practice. Given that DOT was not even
asked to consider this issue until mid-August, the likelihood of a deeply developed plan
emerging now seems slim. Responsibility for that timing rests not with DOT, but with the
commissioners whose request began the process. If the weeks in June and July had been
used for thoughtful planning, perhaps more constructive outcomes could now be
considered.

Which once again leads to the following question—why the hurry to change everything?
Consider the timeline: Deputies have assisted with morning traffic at STARS for multiple
years. August 12th NCDOT is contacted about the delays on US-1 S in front of STARS. On
September 3rd Dr. Graner is notified of the traffic study. On September 19th the Deputies
inform Dr. Graner they will no longer assist with morning traffic. The speed with which this
occurred is odd and shocking, and potentially dangerous. I am not saying change should not
occur, not at all—but we are dealing with families’ safety. Clearly there was a lot of thought
about commuters’ ability to freely traverse US-1 S in the morning—was that much thought
given to the impacts of families of STARS or how this might impact other commuters?

Two Scenarios That May Be Ahead:

Action Is Recommended by DOT.

Alterations or fixes may be proposed. If so, who begins the process, who designs the plans,
and who approves them? If morning entry is eased, will new problems be created with
families’ abilities to exit the campus? Anyone currently dropping off in the morning, knows
how things have already changed. Funding will also become a critical question. And until

any changes are designed, funded, and built, families are left managing on their own with no
deputies, no interim support, and no plan to look forward to.

“Everything Is Fine” Is Declared.

If no changes are recommended, parents will continue to make daily U-turns on US-1
indefinitely. If DOT does not make changes, then who will? Safety concerns and daily
inconvenience could be left unacknowledged. The unspoken message might as well be: “If
everyone ignores the turn lane into STARS and drives farther north to make a U-turn, the
problem is solved.” Essentially-The turning lane works if it’s not used.

Bigger Questions

At present, no real plan exists. DOT has made it clear they did not ask for this situation, and
commissioners have not offered a path forward. Was the domino effect of removing
deputies ever fully considered? As stewards of the county, you would expect a thoroughly
thought out approach. But what evidence suggests that this responsibility has been taken
seriously?

For now, what exists feels less like an organized plan to solve a real issue and more like
someone said, “I can get traffic flowing on US-1 South—just watch me,” with absolutely NO
plan for anything else. Traffic flow on US-1 South now flows in the mornings—that much is
true. But families are left with a daily choice: attempt to cross morning rush hour traffic
from a failing turn lane or navigate U-turns farther north.

The hope is that when the meeting occurs, acknowledgment of these realities will be made,
and some commitment to solutions will finally begin to take shape.

Sincerely,

Andrew Kegley