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.
Booze It & Lose It
Law enforcement agencies across North Carolina are increasing patrols and sobriety checkpoints now through Jan. 4.
The goal is simple: stop impaired driving before it leads to serious or deadly crashes.
NCDOT will also pause most construction on interstates and U.S. and state routes now through Jan. 2.
Before traveling, visit
drivenc.gov for the most up-to-date travel information.
Santa Across N.C.
Santa spread cheer across North Carolina this holiday season by traveling on water and by rail.
He sailed into Fort Fisher and Southport by ferry, greeting families on board before heading to Southport’s “Light Up the Night” Christmas Parade.
He then climbed aboard NC By Train’s Santa Train the next day to ride the rails from Raleigh to Greensboro.
From ferry decks to train cars, Santa met children, collected wish lists, and turned every trip into a moving holiday celebration.
Bridge Dedication
A bridge on N.C. 11 above Contentnea Creek in Pitt County is now named for 1st Sgt. T. Lee Howell.
Howell began his career with the State Highway Patrol in 1994 as a Motor Vehicle Enforcement Officer and rose to become First Sergeant of the Motor Carrier Enforcement Section.
He served North Carolina with honor until January 2021 when he contracted COVID-19 and tragically passed away.
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.