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.
Winter Weather
Make sure you are traveling safely with these winter weather driving tips.
- Do not go out unless you absolutely have to.
- Stay prepared with at least a half-tank of gas in your vehicle, as well as an ice scraper, extra windshield wiper fluid and anti-freeze.
100 Days After Helene
It’s now been over 100 days since Helene and N.C. Department of Transportation employees and our partners have worked hundreds of thousands of hours to help with the recovery.
Helene resulted in more than 9,200 damage sites and more than 1,400 road closures in the western part of the state, but much progress has been made.
More than 85% of the total impacted roads have reopened, with about 185 road sections that remain closed.
NCDOT will continue the restoration process to provide long-term solutions in these areas.
To find the latest information on closures, visit
drivenc.gov.
2025 Administration
On Jan. 1, Josh Stein took the oath of office to become North Carolina’s 76th governor.
While there is some new leadership among the governor’s cabinet agencies, the leadership at the NCDOT will remain the same.
This week, several members of Stein’s cabinet were sworn in, including NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins, who has served in the role since the fall of 2023.
N.C. Toll Increases
The annual toll rate increase is now in effect for drivers on the Triangle Expressway and Monroe Expressway.
Customers with a NC Quick Pass account or applicable out-of-state accounts will now save 50% when traveling on all toll roads in North Carolina.
The prepaid balance for a new NC Quick Pass account has also been lowered from $20 to $10.
Toll revenue is used to pay off bonds sold to fund construction, as well as support the operations and maintenance of each toll facility.
For more information, visit
ncquickpass.com.
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 the NCDOT website homepage.