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The Safety of North Carolina's Bridges

Posted 5/24/2013 2:55:00 PM

RALEIGH – In light of the bridge collapse in Washington, the North Carolina Department of Transportation wants to educate our citizens and visitors about how we keep North Carolina’s bridges maintained for safe travel.   "Safety is always a top priority and every bridge that is open in North Carolina is safe for drivers," said Transportation Secretary Tata. "We have comprehensive inspection, rehabilitation, and maintenance programs in place because our bridges play a vital role in connecting people to work, school and popular vacation destinations.”   Investing in our bridges NCDOT is investing more money than ever to improve the state's bridges. About $450 million in state funds have been invested over the past two years to replace, preserve or repair bridges, enabling the department to improve more than 1,000 bridges across the state with a focus on replacing and improving structurally deficient bridges. Additionally, proposed state budgets include about $300 million to continue the program over the next two years.   North Carolina has inspection, posting and closing procedures in place to assure public safety by closing bridges when necessary.   Inspections Each bridge in North Carolina is inspected at least every two years in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards. Any identified structural problem is addressed by contract repairs or by NCDOT bridge maintenance crews, which are located across the state. If a bridge is deemed unsafe, it would immediately be repaired or closed to traffic.  What inspectors look for in an inspection Survey teams assess the condition of five elements on each bridge: railings, decks, expansion joints, superstructure and substructure. Inspection activities identify maintenance and repair needs to bridge items such as timber and steel handrails; timber, concrete and steel decks; expansion joints; steel and concrete beams; support piles and footings. The condition of each bridge is then summarized into a statewide bridge condition rating, along with the type and extent of repairs needed, if any. A thorough structural analysis is performed and safe load carrying capacities are determined. If necessary, weight restrictions are placed on the bridge.   Stats Total NCDOT Bridges – 13,500Structurally Deficient – 2,663. This means that while the bridge remains safe, it requires repairs and was built to design standards no longer used for bridges. A bridge is considered structurally deficient if it is in relatively poor condition, or has insufficient load-carrying capacity. The insufficient load capacity could be due to age, the original design or to wear and tear.Functionally Obsolete – 4,479. This means the bridge is safe, but needs to be replaced to meet current and future traffic demands.  A bridge is considered functionally obsolete if it is narrow, has inadequate under-clearances, has insufficient load-carrying capacity, is poorly aligned with the roadway, and can no longer adequately service today’s traffic. In NC we have 35 truss-type bridges (the type involved in the Washington incident).   Working with local municipalities NCDOT inspects all state-owned structures and municipalities are responsible for inspecting their own structures. NCDOT does offer technical assistance with municipal inspections. Municipalities have three options: Ask NCDOT to contract with private engineering firms to do the inspection (the municipality reimburses the department);The municipality handles the private engineering firm contract with NCDOT’s approval of the contract inspectors; orThe municipality can perform their own inspection. None of the municipalities in North Carolina are currently doing so.  For more information, please visit www.ncdot.gov/projects/ncbridges.

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NCDOT Aims to Help Travelers Save Time and Money Over Memorial Holiday

Posted 5/22/2013 4:01:13 PM

RALEIGH — As the summer travel season begins this weekend, the N.C. Department of Transportation is taking steps to help ensure motorists save both time and money by suspending most road construction work on major routes across the state. By avoiding traffic delays, motorists can reach their destinations quickly and safely, while cutting down on fuel consumption and costs. NCDOT reminds motorists to slow down, avoid distractions and be alert to their surroundings during this busy travel season.   Most construction projects along interstate, N.C. and U.S. routes will be suspended from 4 p.m. Friday, May 24, until 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, with three exceptions:   U.S. 1 just north of Southern Pines (Moore County) is reduced to one lane in each direction for construction of a new bridge;U.S. 158 (Elizabeth Street) in Elizabeth City is reduced to one lane in each direction over the Pasquotank River for resurfacing and construction of a new bridge; andU.S. 17 Business in Jacksonville (Onslow County) is reduced to two-lane, two-way traffic on the Buddy Phillips Bridge over the New River for construction of a new bridge. In addition, motorists can expect delays due to race events at Charlotte Motor Speedway that will generate significant delays in northeast Mecklenburg County and southwest Cabarrus County. The heaviest traffic is expected on I-85, U.S. 29, N.C. 49 and Bruton Smith Boulevard. For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit the NCDOT website or follow NCDOT on Twitter. Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website. The site has a number of features to help travelers in addition to providing up-to-the-minute traffic information. For example, users can use NCDOT Mobile to easily locate the nearest North Carolina rest areas where they can take a break from their drive. They can pull up more information about amenities available at the rest area , as well as view the facility on a map and get driving directions. To access it, type “m.ncdot.gov” into the browser of your smartphone. Then, bookmark it to save for future reference. NCDOT Mobile is compatible with the iPhone, Android and some newer Blackberry phones. Here are some additional tips for navigating the highways during the busy holiday travel season: •    Leave early to get a head start on your drive. Travel at non-peak hours when possible. •    Stay alert. Even if work is suspended, you may encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts in work zone areas. •    Be patient and obey the posted speed limit. •    Use alternate routes, when possible, to avoid traffic congestion. •    Stay informed. Real-time travel information is available over the phone by dialing 511. •    Don’t drive drowsy. Travel at times when you are normally awake, and take frequent breaks. •    Avoid distracted driving. When drivers stop focusing on the road ahead, they react more slowly to traffic conditions and are more likely to be involved in an accident. Also, the “Click It or Ticket” campaign runs through the Memorial Day holiday weekend and ends on June 2. During that time, law enforcement officers will step up patrols statewide and cite those who do not buckle up. While you’re behind the wheel this Memorial holiday, remember your job is to be a safe driver, so buckle up, focus on the road, and let everything else wait until you arrive at your destination. ***NCDOT***

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"Click It or Ticket" Campaign Now Under Way in North Carolina

Posted 5/20/2013 10:19:26 AM

Help spread awareness about seat belt safety by snapping and sharing a "#SafetySelfie" RALEIGH – The Governor’s Highway Safety Program today officially launched its Memorial Day "Click It or Ticket" campaign, marking 20 years of seat belt safety awareness efforts that have saved countless lives. To honor this milestone and show support for the cause, GHSP is asking North Carolinians to get out their cell phone cameras, snap a self-portrait of them buckled up while parked and share it on social media, using the hashtag, "#SafetySelfie." "As the state that started "Click It or Ticket" two decades ago, we're known for finding unique ways to encourage people to fasten their seat belts," said Don Nail, interim director of GHSP. “The ‘#SafetySelfie’ is just one more example of our innovative approach to changing motorists' behavior for the better. By harnessing the power of social media, we hope to convince the small percentage of people who aren't buckling their seat belts that it's the right thing to do." The process is easy and takes less than a minute to complete. With your vehicle in a parked position, activate your cell phone camera and take a picture showing your seat belt buckled securely. Then, share the photo with your friends, family and co-workers via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest with the hashtag, "#SafetySelfie." GHSP also encourages you to add comments urging others to follow your example and fasten their seat belts before putting the vehicle in drive.  "This is about saving lives and spreading the word that seat belts should be second nature every time you step into a car,” said Cris Mulder, Deputy Secretary for Communication at the N.C. Department of Transportation. "That’s a safety message that starts early and can’t be repeated enough. The ‘#SafetySelfie’ is a fun and engaging way to get everyone involved in driving the message home through social media, a method we know will make an impact.” GHSP hopes the “#SafetySelfie" will become a phenomenon that lasts long past this “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which ends on June 2.    In the 20 years since “Click It or Ticket” began, the number of reported crashes, fatalities and injuries involving unbelted passengers has dropped dramatically across the state and nationwide. North Carolina law enforcement officers responded to 38,289 crashes involving unbelted passengers in 1992, the year before the campaign started. By 2012, the totals dropped to 8,187 crashes. NCDOT produced a public service announcement to remind drivers and passengers that wearing a seat belt during a crash not only reduces your chances of suffering critical injuries or even death by 50 percent, but will also save you $161 in fines if you are caught without your seat belt fastened. To watch, click here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WshDdbZvAz0. In addition to social media and enforcement efforts, GHSP will hold regional anniversary events in Raleigh, Elizabeth City, Clyde and High Point to retrace the historic first steps of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign.  ***NCDOT***

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Governor’s Highway Safety Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary of "Click It or Ticket"

Posted 5/17/2013 8:24:34 AM

RALEIGH – The state of North Carolina was not just First in Flight. It was also the first state in the nation to launch an innovative seat belt safety awareness campaign called “Click It or Ticket.” Starting Monday, May 20, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program will celebrate the campaign’s 20th anniversary.   “We’re proud of the hard work we’ve put into making this campaign a model adopted today by every state in the country,” said N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata. “We know the impact of “Click It or Ticket” is far reaching – saving countless lives not just in North Carolina but nationwide.”   Since the Governor’s Highway Safety Program launched “Click It or Ticket” in 1993, the number of reported crashes, fatalities and injuries involving unbelted passengers has dropped dramatically in North Carolina. Law enforcement officers responded to 38,289 crashes involving unbelted passengers in 1992, the year before the campaign started. By 2012, the totals dropped to 8,187.    “We credit the effectiveness of our “Click It or Ticket” campaign for dramatically reducing the number of crashes involving people who didn’t buckle up,” said Don Nail, interim director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “But, there are still North Carolinians who don’t wear their seat belt when they get behind the wheel. Until every person in our state abides by the law, we’ll continue to lead the way in seat belt safety awareness.”                                                                                                             The “Click It or Ticket” campaign runs through the Memorial Day holiday weekend and ends on June 2. During that time, law enforcement officers will step up patrols statewide and cite those who do not buckle up.   NCDOT produced a public service announcement to remind drivers and passengers that wearing a seat belt during a crash not only reduces your chances of suffering critical injuries or even death by 50 percent, but will also save you $161 in fines if you are caught without your seat belt fastened.   In addition to enforcement efforts, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program will hold regional anniversary events in Elizabeth City, Clyde and High Point next week to retrace the historic first steps of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign.   ***NCDOT*** Image of an officer conducting a seat belt inspection during a "Click It or Ticket" campaign

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Monroe DMV's Saturday Hours Help Busy Charlotte Metro Area

Posted 5/16/2013 3:02:48 PM

    RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles reminds its customers in the busy Charlotte metro area that the Monroe DMV office is continuing to offer its new Saturday hours this weekend. The Monroe DMV office is also open an additional hour each weekday, now staying open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.   The NC DMV began the expanded hours program in early March and now has 14 driver license offices participating in this statewide effort to reduce overall wait times and improve customer service for drivers. The Monroe DMV office, which is particularly convenient to residents south and east of Charlotte, is located at 3122 Hwy. 74 West. Its phone number is (704) 283-4264.   “We want to accommodate the busy schedules of North Carolinians,” said NCDMV Commissioner James L. Forte. “The Monroe DMV’s expanded hours offer a wait time oasis in the Charlotte area, and we encourage local drivers to take advantage of this opportunity to make their visit to the DMV easier and more convenient." The office is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Most regular driver license services, including regular road tests, will be offered during this time, with the exception of CDL skills tests, medical re-exams and motorcycle skills tests. The office is also open for extended hours, from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., during the week. Testing services will be available until 5:30 p.m., but regular road tests will not be administered during rush hour.   With the addition of the Monroe office to the expanded hours program, DMV is moving closer to its goal of making sure 85 percent of the state’s population will be within 30 miles of an expanded hours office.   ***NCDOT***

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