This Week at NCDOT: Snow Preparations and Applications for Mobi Awards, Bike Helmet

​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.

Snow Preps Across the State

N.C Department of Transportation staff has been preparing for winter weather, and crews in the mountains put their preparations into action after an early snowfall this week. 

Every fall, maintenance engineers conduct dry runs, test equipment and ensure materials, like salt and brine, are stocked.

Crews can brine roads up to 48 hours before an expected freeze or snowfall, but testing equipment now is important to make sure we are prepared and ready to respond when the time comes.

NCDOT asks people to stay home during winter weather, but if people have to get out, they should be patient, drive slowly and give their vehicles enough room to maneuver.

​U.S. Transportation Grants

The Federal Transit Administration is awarding more than $17 million in grants to NCDOT to improve safety and enhance mobility for transit riders.

The grant money will help several rural transit systems replace vehicles and construct public transportation facilities across the state.

Public transportation is one mode of travel more North Carolina communities are embracing.

​Mobi Award Applications

Speaking of multiple modes of transportation, the NCDOT will soon host its second annual Mobi Awards.

These awards honor communities that have invested in North Carolina’s top multimodal projects, such as public bus and train stations, bike and walking paths, and even airport terminals.

Now is the time for communities and others to submit applications to enter the Mobi Awards competition in one of six categories: Urban, Suburban, Rural, Tourism and Innovation, plus a new category, Most Voted Project.

To enter, go to connect.ncdot.gov and then click on the ‘events’ link.

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on Dec. 16. The winners will be announced at an event in Raleigh on April 1.

​Bike Helmet Initiative Applications

The department is also accepting applications for its annual Bicycle Helmet Initiative.

NCDOT uses funds from the sale of “Share the Road” specialty license plates to pay for bike helmets that are distributed at bicycle safety events for underprivileged children, because helmets save lives.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Jan. 6. Between 25 and 100 helmets may be requested.

For more information and to download the application, visit ncdot.gov.