Onslow County looks to ease traffic issues

With the installation of video cameras to monitor motorists along N.C. 24 and the ability to control key stoplights, Jacksonville officials say they are now able to ease the flow of Camp Lejeune traffic when necessary.

"If traffic really backs up, dispatchers who are watching can call us and police officers will go out and work the lights until the problem is handled," said Jacksonville Police Chief Mike Yaniero. "Let's say traffic is backed up to Holcomb Boulevard; officers can switch the lights on 24 to green for several minutes."

He said he knew that would be inconvenient for people waiting on side streets; but to fix traffic congestion, the larger volume of vehicles has to be moved through the fastest.

Don Reynolds, a Richlands resident who works in Carteret County, said he gets caught in base traffic daily during his commute.

"I don't even go on base, and I get caught in traffic every day," he said.

Officials have been listening to similar complaints for years, and with a continuing influx of Marines and their families, they say they know something needs to be done.

To that end, the city has been working with N.C. Department of Transportation Division 3 engineers to set the timing of stoplights at intersections along Lejeune Boulevard to maximize the flow of traffic down the highway.

Camp Lejeune's government liaison, Joe Ramirez, said the newly timed stoplights had allowed a measure of "progress in morning traffic."

"The city has worked lockstep with the base in figuring out how to ease traffic congestion," he said. "Steps are being taken to connect the city's cameras with the Provost Marshal's Office so traffic can be monitored at the main gate as well."

Two cameras have been installed, one focused on Corbin Street and Lejeune Boulevard and the other on Lejeune and Pine Valley Road, at a cost of about $3,000.

The city hopes to one day be able to implement the DOT's Intelligent Transportation System, which will allow for remote control of several traffic signals to maintain an optimum flow of vehicles in and out of Camp Lejeune and along N.C. 24, said Jacksonville Deputy Town Manager Ron Massey.

"A technician can go out and change the timing or the police can control them manually at the pole," he said. "But we plan on a central traffic control room where it can all be operated remotely."

The city will make sure dynamic message boards that warn motorists about upcoming changes in traffic flow are part of the new system, Massey said.

"Like with the smoke problem on (U.S.) 17 south, we could tell people way in advance," he said.

Contact senior reporter Lindell Kay at 910-219-8456. Read Lindell's blog at http://onslowcrime.encblogs.com.