Construction will start this summer on a roundabout to improve safety at a busy Robeson County crossroads.

The N.C. Department of Transportation awarded a $3 million contract this week to Barnhill Contracting Co. of Rocky Mount to construct the improvement at N.C. 710 and Deep Branch Road outside Pembroke.

The roundabout will replace the current traffic signal at this intersection. The department proposed the design after reviewing crash data that included several instances of drivers running a red light and causing serious crashes.

Roundabouts improve safety by requiring drivers to slow down and move in one direction as indicated by signs and pavement markings around the circle, which will have a raised concrete island. Drivers must yield to any traffic already in the roundabout before entering it. Roundabouts also improve traffic flow by eliminating the need to stop and wait at a red light.

The contractor can begin construction in late June, and will have one year to complete the improvement, which will include streetlighting to improve visibility.

During construction, however, the contractor will need to close the intersection for 60 days to safely complete some of the work. NCDOT will provide advance notice of the closure date, detour and other details at DriveNC.gov.