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.
Six Months Since Helene
Six months after Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has made significant progress in rebuilding western North Carolina.
So far, 90% of damaged roads have reopened, and over 270 bridges and 870 culverts have been repaired. A key milestone was reopening Interstate 40, restoring vital access between North Carolina and Tennessee.
Crews worked through harsh winter conditions, upgrading many temporary roads and bridges to permanent solutions. In Yancey County and Chimney Rock, gravel paths have been paved, and temporary bridges are being replaced with permanent designs set to begin soon
Ongoing public meetings are gathering feedback as NCDOT continues its recovery efforts. While challenges remain, the progress made in six months is a significant step forward. For updates, visit
DriveNC.gov.
NCDMV Updates
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is extending service hours.
Beginning April 7, 42 driver license offices will join 50 others opening an hour earlier at 7 a.m., offering an additional hour for appointments and services.
Additionally, NCDMV's summer walk-in service hours will return later this year. In 2024, nearly 17,000 transactions were processed at 16 offices during the 12 Saturdays of the season.
This year, 20 offices will offer Saturday service from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from June 7 to August 23. The new Saturday locations are Elizabeth City, Clayton, Durham East, and Kernersville.
For more information and a full list of offices opening early and on Saturdays, visit this
webpage.
Rockingham Special
NC By Train will run a special train from Raleigh to the Rockingham Speedway for NASCAR’s return in April.
The “Rockingham Special” train will run for one day only on April 19 between Raleigh Union Station and the Rockingham Speedway with stops in Southern Pines and Cary.
Train tickets are $25 each way and food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Skip the hassles of traffic and parking and let NC By Train be your ride to “The Rock” for the return of this iconic North Carolina event. Tickets available now at
ncbytrain.org and
Amtrak.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 NCDOT.gov.