The Main Street Extension project will be completed and opened in May. This is much more than the widening of a road, this is a new traffic pattern for anyone that frequents Avent Ferry Rd, Village Walk, Main Street and especially Piney Grove Wilbon (PGW).
Although not the only issue causing traffic on Avent Ferry Rd., one of the problems is the scores of vehicles that line up to turn left on PGW to use it as a cut-through to go further south. That option will still be available with the new pattern, but if they plan to go any further south than Walmart, it’s going to be much more difficult.
If you look at the map, you’ll see that the road formerly known as PGW is now a cul-de-sac. We circled that for you in red, as it’s one of the most significant changes with the new pattern.
As the road flows from Avent Ferry, drivers will now bear left, and come to a stop sign at Ralph Stephens Rd (Main Street on the south side of the 55 bypass). At that point, you can turn right, and continue onto Piney Grove Wilbon. This is a good thing for locals, but not as much for those travelling south on the 55 bypass.
Those traveling though these intersections are much better off going to Main Street/Ralph Stephens Rd. and turning left (between Walmart and Village Walk). From that intersection, it’s a four lane road without stop signs. The stop signs that are on the map are for the streets approaching Ralph Stephens, not on Ralph Stephens.
For drivers coming from Avent Ferry Rd., looking to go toward Fuquay-Varina, Hwy 55 bypass or Cass Holt Rd. remain your best options. If headed to Walmart though, there is no longer a need to cut through Village Walk Drive or drive all the way to Hwy 55. PGW (which will now be named Ralph Stephens Rd. at Avent Ferry) will bring you straight to Walmart.
They are warning that it will become more difficult to get from the Village Walk parking lot to the Walmart parking lot and vice-versa, especially during rush hour. DOT will not be adding a light there due to the proximity of that intersection to the Hwy 55 bypass intersection.
The traffic light at the corner will be adjusted to keep back-ups to a minimum.
Based on the studies, they anticipate that this new route will reduce traffic on Avent Ferry Rd. by 30%.
The cost of this project was $6.98 million, and DOT covered 80% of that cost.
