Local

Charlotte neighbors worry new grocery store will worsen already bad traffic

CHARLOTTE, NC — Drivers who must use Randolph Road to get through Charlotte's Cotswold neighborhood say if there was another way around they'd take it.

"It's never good. I particularly try to strategize when I come through that intersection to be in the left lane," said resident Jim Fulmer.

The busy Harris Teeter at the corner of Sharon Amity Road has been here for years. A Chick-fil-A across the street is popular too. Now, there's excitement building for the new Publix set to open in the next month or two, but neighbors and drivers are seriously concerned about traffic.

"With the Publix opening, I mean, the traffic is just going to be a lot worse," said Fulmer.

Recently, the city added new center turn lanes between Sharon Amity and Greenwich Road. But they didn't seem to help as we watched as a car Tuesday turn left out of the Cotswold Village Shops. The driver forced their way across looking for a gap in the traffic.

"There's a little bit of road rage there, and I just try to stay patient and not worry about it," said Fulmer.

We found CDOT traffic counts from the last five years that show at least 20,000 cars drive the stretch of Randolph Road every day and Charlotte keeps growing.

It's so congested that neighbors around Colwick Road behind the new Publix told us they've complained to CDOT about impatient drivers cutting through their neighborhood - speeding and running stop signs in the process.

CDOT officials said they are speaking with neighbors and are planning to study Randolph Road this fall - once the Publix opens - but didn't mention any plans to ease congestion.

We reached out to Publix for a response on the traffic concerns and a spokesperson said the store would get back to us with answers to our questions.

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