Photo (courtesy A Different Perspective): A barge and crane being moved into position to work on the bridge to Stanly County. The intersection that the author writes about is in the upper righthand corner.
Speckled Paw Coffee is giving the new bridge joining Montgomery and Stanly counties a lot of publicity. As a resident of Mount Gilead, part of Montgomery County, I sometimes try to make a left turn to get onto the bridge, cross it and enhance the economy of Stanly County. If I/you/we look left we will see waist-high grass, decorative trees, two barriers made of wide boards, and large orange barrels strategically staggered to block you, the potential victim, from seeing vehicles far out on the bridge but also prohibiting you from seeing the the large macho vehicle that might be coming off the bridge and with every legal right to T-bone your conservative compact car. That macho vehicle has the legal right-of-way and can collect massive damages from your estate which may or may not have high insurance limits … and leave your survivors bereaved and destitute.
According to “Ed” with the NCDOT office in Troy, Stanly County is in charge of the bridge, etc. He said he would contact the Stanly County highway crowd. I talked to “Guy,” who is the bridge construction superintendent, and he says he does whatever Stanly County says do. I can’t continue … I’m breaking up … I’m aging out … some of you young folks have got to take over …
John A. Tedder
I have witnessed 3 near crashes at that intersection!
Someone is going to die or get badly hurt!
It is impossible to clearly see vehicles coming over the bridge if you’re trying to make a left turn off hwy 73. The traffic is moving way too fast…the only warning sign to slow down is a mile up the road!
They need a 3 way stop at the intersection or a stop light. With all the barrels, cones it’s hard to see traffic coming from Albemarle.
It would be easier and make some what of a difference if they would open up the turning yield lane to turn right onto 73! There is no reason that shouldn’t be open!
I agree with you
A stoplight is needed at the intersection of 731 and 109. I was entering the intersection when a white SUV came flying across toward Norwood missing me by a couple of feet. They paid no attention to the flashing light or the stop sign and were going at least 35-40 miles per hour. Several accidents have happened here lately. I don’t go that way anymore.