Detour will be in place for drivers

MONROE —  N.C. Department of Transportation contract crews will start building a roundabout next week at the intersection of N.C. 200 and N.C. 218 in Union County, requiring the intersection to be closed to traffic after rush hour Monday morning.

During construction, non-truck traffic will follow a posted detour along Love Mill Road, Zebulon Williams Road and Haigler Gin Road and Honey Bee Road. Trucks will follow a separate detour from N.C. 24/27 to U.S. 601, U.S. 74, and N.C. 200, returning to N.C. 24/27. The intersection is scheduled to open in early June.

Roundabouts improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, DOT officials said. They also help reduce the congestion and backups more typical at traditional intersections with stop signs and traffic signals.

NCDOT has produced a video showing how roundabouts work and improve overall safety.