In an area of Haywood County commonly known among locals as “malfunction junction,” traffic congestion, accidents and driver confusion have prompted the NCDOT to turn their attention to the interchange at N.C. 209 and U.S. 23/74.

“We’re doing intersection improvements at the interchange,” said Brian Burch, a construction engineer with the DOT. “It is confusing and there is congestion at that interchange.”

However before the project can proceed, businesses along the access road and Paragon Parkway will have to be purchased and demolished to make way for new road construction. The affected businesses include Taco Bell, Shoney’s, the Shell gas station, Burger King and David’s Home Entertainment.

It’s a situation Burch said the business owners seem to understand, although it will mean they ...