HARKERS ISLAND - An N.C. Department of Transportation project is being recognized for its use of innovative technology.
As part of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ annual America’s Transportation Awards contest, the NCDOT’s Harkers Island bridge replacement project won an Operations Excellence award. The announcement was made this week in Rogers, Arkansas, during the annual conference of Southeastern region departments of transportation.
Ten projects from state DOTs earned awards. The Harkers Island Bridge project replacement competed with other projects that cost between $10 million and $100 million.
The Harkers Island Bridge project replaced two 50-year-old bridges with a single, 3,200-foot bridge. It is the first time the department has built a concrete bridge with glass fiber reinforced polymer and carbon fiber reinforced polymer strands, which is designed to withstand the coastal environment and provide greater durability.
The new bridge opened to traffic last winter, a year ahead of schedule.
Since being selected as a regional winner, the project has an opportunity to compete for more recognition at the national level. An announcement is anticipated this fall.