New traffic pattern on North Tryon Street causes confusion for drivers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The new traffic flow on North Tryon Street is causing many drivers to drive in the wrong direction resulting in near-crashes.

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From Dalton Avenue to 30th Street, North Tryon is now one-way outbound. Drivers heading into the city are now supposed to use North Church Street.

But Channel 9 spotted multiple vehicles -- including an ambulance, a school bus and a UPS truck driving the wrong way on North Tryon toward incoming traffic.

"That's scary," motorist Yvone Morris said. "That's very, very scary."

Morris, who is a nurse, was caught off guard Tuesday by the new road alignment and was nearly hit head-on while she was going to pick up a patient.

She's disappointed there wasn't more notice of the changes.

"This is very dangerous, and I don't see a purpose where this is helping the neighborhood," Morris said.

Wrong-way signs have been placed on North Church Street, but they are not yet in place on North Tryon Street.

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A spokesperson for CMPD said officers will patrol the area.

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Additionally, North Tryon Street and North Church Street between West 29th Street and Sylvania Avenue were reduced to one lane on Tuesday and won't reopen until January 2020.

The closure is in place for median and storm drain construction related to the North Tryon Business Corridor project.

The changes have been in the works since 2011. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Department of Transportation officials said the changes will make the area safer for pedestrians and help with the flow of traffic. Bike lanes are planned for North Tryon Street, in addition to new crosswalks and sidewalks.

"The project will encourage development and support growth in distressed business corridors," city officials said in a news release.

Cox Media Group