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.
Rural Bridges Grant
Agriculture is the leading industry in North Carolina, contributing more than $87 billion to the economy in 2016. NCDOT plays an important role in making sure this industry has the transportation infrastructure so it can continue thriving in North Carolina.
Thanks to a $20 million grant, the department will be able to help the agricultural community do just that. It will go to help replace 77 bridges in rural areas of North Carolina where agriculture is the primary industry.
Many of the bridges there are either old or have weight restrictions that limit some trucks or equipment getting through, causing delays due to detour routes.
The oldest bridge to be replaced is currently more than 98 years old. Sixty-three bridges are over 50 years old, built for a different farm economy when smaller equipment was used and the typical farm was smaller.
Replacing these bridges will do more than help farmers, though. While the work is underway, broadband will be installed with each bridge replacement, increasing much-needed digital access in these areas, improving transportation efficiency and rural internet speeds.
Surf City Bridge Opening
The people of Surf City and Topsail Island this week celebrated the opening of a new high-rise bridge, nine months ahead of schedule.
The new bridge replaces the old swing span, allowing traffic to move continuously over the bridge as boats pass underneath. In the past, traffic had to be halted many times each day so the old bridge could be opened for boats to pass.
At a dedication ceremony this week, community members and visitors were able to walk across the swing bridge one last time before driving over the new bridge for the first time.
State Operations Center Award
The State Transportation Operations Center, which coordinates North Carolina’s response to travel emergencies, is being honored by a national organization for its response to Hurricane Florence.
The National Operations Center of Excellence recognized the STOC for major incident or special event planning and response. During the storm, they improved traffic flow on routes away from the coast during the evacuation and provided information to more than 27,000 citizen phone calls.