RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in NCDOT Now, the department's weekly newscast.
Raleigh Union Station Opening
Train travel in Raleigh just became a more welcoming experience for passengers as the new Union Station opened for service this week. Led by the City of Raleigh, construction began in 2016 to accommodate current and future demand for intercity passenger rail, commuter rail, buses, bicycles and other forms of transportation.
Seeing the need for a multimodal facility that would benefit freight and passenger rail service, the NCDOT contributed over $11 million in state funds in addition to technical assistance and project management support.
The new 920 foot-long center island platform is the first high-level platform in the state and provides better access for wheelchairs and strollers.
Additionally, freight trains can now bypass the station without delays.
To view train schedules or purchase tickets, visit NCbyTrain.org.
Vehicle Theft Prevention Month
July marks National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month and the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles wants to remind drivers to keep their cars, trucks and other vehicles locked. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a vehicle is stolen every 41 seconds.
In 2017, the DMV License and Theft Bureau recovered 1,346 stolen vehicles valued at $10.2 million.
The state’s most popular vehicles stolen were Honda Accords and full-size Ford pickup trucks.
Just make sure you keep your vehicles locked at all times, said DMV License and Theft Captain J.T. Ratliff. Don’t keep an extra set of keys in the car. In addition, hide your valuables. Make your car look unassuming and uninteresting to a would be criminal.
There are several ways for drivers to help prevent vehicle theft. Some include:
• Parking in well-lit areas;
• Locking all doors and closing windows when you park;
• Not leaving your vehicle unattended while it is running;
• Not leaving your keys in the your vehicle; and
• Always concealing your valuables.
More information about the License and Theft Bureau is available at MyNCDMV.gov.
Human Trafficking Awareness Signs
Lastly, the Department of Transportation is helping the North Carolina Department of Justice raise awareness about the prevalence of human trafficking in our state.
Posters letting victims know about available resources are now displayed in rest areas, train stations and commercial airports.
North Carolina has one of the top 10 highest reported rates of human trafficking in the country.
For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at (919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on NCDOT.gov.