Resident raises grocery access and Tulls Creek Road safety concerns; county directs resident to NCDOT and state representatives

William Broadhurst, a resident of 100 Foxglove Drive, addressed the Currituck County Board of Commissioners during the Sept. 2 public comment period, urging action on two fronts: lack of grocery options in parts of the county and worsening pavement on Tulls Creek Road.

Broadhurst said he’s lived in the county about 21 years and described ongoing commercial development but said grocery and retail options are insufficient to serve residents. He also described repeated vehicle damage caused by the condition of Tulls Creek Road and asked what the county is doing.

County staff responded that the county encourages commercial development and has reached out to prospective grocery retailers and developers but that private developers must build such facilities and “no one’s put a shovel in the dirt yet.” On the road issue, staff explained that Tulls Creek Road is maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and that the county is forbidden by the North Carolina Constitution to expend county funds on state roads; staff advised Broadhurst to contact NCDOT directly and suggested he may also reach out to state legislators Bobby Hanig (Senate) and Ed Goodwin (House) for assistance with road funding and appropriations. Staff acknowledged Tulls Creek Road is among the county’s worst and said the county regularly contacts elected representatives about state road funding.

Broadhurst received a verbal acknowledgement and staff said the county will continue to press state representatives for road appropriations. No formal action was taken by the board as a result of the public comment.