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.
18-Month Helene Update
It’s been 18 months since Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. While there is still work to be done, we’ve made great progress.
87% of the nearly 9,500 Helene-damaged sites have been repaired. On Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge, crews continue working on the largest interstate recovery project in North Carolina history. It’s expected to be complete by late 2028.
Elsewhere, major reconstruction is also ongoing in Polk and Yancey counties, Chimney Rock and Bat Cave. Of the 869 bridges damaged by Helene, nearly 590 have been repaired and 26 have been replaced.
NCDMV Visible Wait Times
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles recently announced a new feature on its website to provide customers with estimated wait times and real-time capacity status for driver license offices statewide.
Walk-in wait times are now displayed as a range based on real-time data, including the number of operating terminals and customers being served or waiting.
Head to visitDMV.nc.gov to check the wait time before your next trip to the NCDMV.
Speed a Little. Lose a Lot
The “Speed a Little. Lose a Lot” safety campaign begins next week and aims to prevent drivers from exceeding the speed limit.
From March 30 through April 5, law enforcement officers will conduct increased speed patrols and checkpoints to identify and catch speeders.
During the campaign, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement will also increase their outreach by reminding drivers that speeding is dangerous and against the law.