A new traffic signal being installed at the intersection of U.S. 74 and Mt. Misery Road in Leland is the latest sign of how rapidly the area on the outskirts of town is developing. 

Driving down Mt. Misery Road most mornings, cars now line the once semi-secluded single lane road heading toward the U.S. 74.

The new signal comes as the intersection has seen an increase in traffic and collisions.

"There are a considerable amount of crashes and traffic volumes in this area, which contributes toward the support for signal installations here," N.C. Department of Transportation spokesperson Lauren Haviland said. 

According to the latest NCDOT data, the intersection had 49 crashes between 2015 and 2019, making it among the worst in Brunswick County.

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Earlier this year, NCDOT installed a traffic signal just south of U.S. 74 at the intersection of Lanvale Road and Old Fayetteville Road.

But with the area growing so quickly, they're already working to fund another traffic signal installation where Lanvale Road intersects Fletcher and Village roads, near the Kicking Mule.

The area is one of the few remaining places in Leland where trees and open space still line major roadways, where mom-and-pop shops could still turn a profit.

An Exxon-branded 24-hour truck stop planned just across the street is expecting to draw even more traffic, prompting the signal. Several housing developments planned just east on Village Road will also add hundreds of homes and, again, more traffic. 

To keep up with the development, Village Road will be widened to three lanes with a turning lane on Lanvale Road.

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Local reaction in the area was mixed. While some residents said the signal will make it easier to get on and off the highway from Mt. Misery Road, others believe it could cause backups once the truck stop is operational. 

"You should have seen how it was when they were working on the (Old Fayetteville signal)," Leland resident Teresa James said. "You didn't want to be here."

Reporter John Orona can be reached at 910-343-2327 or jorona@gannett.com.