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.
National Transportation Awards
A national transportation organization has recognized two NCDOT projects for spurring economic activity while improving safety and mobility.
The Department was one of six southeastern departments of transportation who recently earned awards as part of the 11th annual America’s Transportation Awards competition.
The Wilmington Bypass connects New Hanover and Brunswick counties, completing the 20-mile I-140 corridor around Wilmington which began more than 20 years ago. The project has eased congestion, enabled quicker and safer travel for commuters and bolstered economic development.
The bypass tied for first in the “Quality of Life/Community Development, Large Project” category.
Also honored was the Piedmont Improvement Program, North Carolina’s largest series of improvements to the state’s rail infrastructure, which was finished in 2017. The program involved rail and highway projects that have made train travel safer and more reliable between Raleigh and Charlotte. It has also allowed for two new daily round trips on the
Piedmont passenger line, meaning passengers can now travel on five trains each way.
The Piedmont Improvement Program won in the “Operations Excellence, Large Project” category.
As regional winners, North Carolina’s projects will be considered for the nation’s top transportation prizes, which will be announced in September.
NCDMV Improvements
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is making a series of improvements at local license offices to provide better customer service and reduce wait times.
Changes include:
- Deploying additional staff at the busiest offices;
- Creating express lines for customers who have quick transactions in offices that have available space;
- Staff are talking with customers in line to ensure they have the correct paperwork and to see if they can accomplish their business online rather than waiting in line; and
- Working to hire more than 100 new license examiners at offices statewide. This includes filling 80 current vacancies and adding 34 additional temporary and permanent examiners.
NCDOT volunteers are also handing out water to customers in line.
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.