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 ROAD CLEARING
Back-to-back winter storms left thousands of North Carolina roads covered in snow and ice, and transportation officials want people to understand the process the agency uses when it clears roads after a storm.
After a winter storm, the N.C Department of Transportation spreads salt and plows roads to remove snow and ice in phases.
Crews first focus on interstates and major highways, followed by U.S. and state routes, and then secondary roads.
And the crews don’t stop responding until the roads are clear.
DICKINSON AVE REOPENS
Dickinson Avenue in Pitt County has reopened to traffic after improvements to the storm drainage system. The road is now open to vehicles between Memorial Drive and Reade Circle.
Crews will continue working to complete the project, including the sidewalks, landscaping and the final surface and striping.
Drivers are advised to keep an eye out for work crews in the area and changing traffic patterns.
NC BY TRAIN PROPOSED ROUTE
Looking ahead, state transportation officials are studying a proposed NC By Train passenger rail route that would eventually connect Salisbury to Asheville.
The long-term project aims to expand rail service into western North Carolina, offering travelers an alternative to driving while supporting tourism and economic growth.
Currently, the project is not funded and there is no timeline for when the service will begin.
BICYCLE HELMETS
Statewide organizations have until Feb. 20 to apply to receive free bicycle helmets from NCDOT, as part of an annual effort to promote safe bicycling and reduce head injuries among children.
To apply, visit the Bicycle Helmet Initiative page.
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.