Tag Archives: Transportation

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Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry to be Used in ‘Safe Haven’ Movie

Two departures will be cancelled Aug. 7 to accommodate filming

MANNS HARBOR, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division will cancel two departures at the Southport-Fort Fisher route Tuesday, Aug. 7, to assist Safe Haven Productions with filming a movie.

The 6:15 p.m. departure from Southport and the 7 p.m. departure from Fort Fisher will not take place Aug. 7. Commuters are asked to make alternate arrangements on that day and visitors are asked to plan ahead and be aware that the schedule will be amended.

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NCDOT to hold public meeting for proposed widening of Kerr Avenue in Wilmington on Monday, Aug. 15

RALEIGH, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on Monday, Aug. 15, regarding the proposed widening of Kerr Avenue from Randall Parkway to Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in Wilmington.

The meeting will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Rachel Freeman School of Engineering, located at 2601 Princess Place Dr. in Wilmington. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments about the proposed project. There will not be a formal presentation.

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NCDOT awards $13.7 million for new interchange on U.S. 17 in Jacksonville

RALEIGH, N.C. — N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Gene Conti has awarded a contract for the construction of an interchange on the existing U.S. 17 Bypass in Jacksonville.

The $13.7 million contract was awarded to S.T. Wooten Corp. of Wilson. Work can begin as early as August 29, with final completion scheduled for no later than Dec. 31, 2013.

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Highway Patrol, ALE and Wildlife Resource Commission Collaborate Assets in Operation

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina State Highway Patrol along with the Wildlife Resources Commission and the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division are combing efforts in saving lives this summer. Whether on the road or on the water, law enforcement officers across the state will be on the look out for impaired drivers by conducting DWI checkpoints near recreational boating areas as well as public service announcements that  educate motorists on the dangers of drinking and driving.

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NCDOT aims to help travelers save time and money over July 4th holiday

RALEIGH, N.C. — As the summer travel season continues, the N.C. Department of Transportation is taking steps to help motorists save both time and money by suspending most road construction activities on major routes across the state. By avoiding traffic delays, motorists can reach their destinations more quickly while also cutting down on fuel consumption and costs.

Most construction projects along interstate, N.C. and U.S. routes will be suspended beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 1, until 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 5, with two exceptions:

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“Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker” campaign kicked off yesterday

RALEIGH, N.C. – N.C. Transportation Secretary Gene Conti announced yesterday that state and local law enforcement officers will be out in force over the Fourth of July holiday as part of the “Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker” campaign. Checkpoints and stepped-up patrols will be conducted Monday, June 27 through Monday, July 4, across the state in an effort to remove impaired drivers from the roads.

“Driving while impaired puts everyone on the roads at risk”, Conti said.  “If you have anything to drink, please find a safe ride home.”

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NCDOT to hold public meeting June 28 for proposed widening of NC 211 in Brunswick County

ST. JAMES, N.C. –The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, June 28 regarding the proposed widening of N.C. 211 near St. James in Brunswick County.

The meeting will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the St. James Community Center, 4136 Southport-Supply Road SE in St. James. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments about the proposed project. A formal presentation will begin at 7 p.m. The presentation will consist of an explanation of the proposed location and design, right-of-way acquisition, relocation requirements and procedures and the state-federal funding relationship.

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North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce releases results of 2011 Citizen Survey

LELAND, N.C. — The North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce recently conducted an online citizen survey to obtain citizens’ input and feedback on issues that impact northern Brunswick County, including the state of the economy, the proposed port in Southport, residents’ shopping habits and the greatest challenges facing northern Brunswick County.  A total of 237 people completed the survey.

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NCDOT awards $3 million project to resurface U.S. 421 in Duplin and Sampson Counties

RALEIGH, N.C. — N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Gene Conti has awarded a contract to resurface a section of U.S. 421 from north of N.C. 903 near Delway to the Pender County line in Duplin and Sampson counties.

A $3 million contract was awarded to Barnhill Contracting Co. of Tarboro for the work. Work can begin as early as Sept. 6 and is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 18.

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NCDOT TO hold public meeting regarding proposed extension of Independence Boulevard in Wilmington June 13

RALEIGH, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on Monday, June 13 regarding the proposed extension of Independence Boulevard in Wilmington.

The meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Rachel Freeman School of Engineering, 2601 Princess Place Drive in Wilmington. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments about the proposed project. There will not be a formal presentation.

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NCDOT hearing on proposed widening of US 17/74/76/NC 133 in Leland set for this Thursday, May 19

LELAND, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 19 regarding the proposed widening of U.S. 17/74/76/N.C. 133 near Leland and Belville.

The meeting will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the USS North Carolina Battleship, #1 Battleship Road in Wilmington. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments about the proposed project. A formal presentation will begin at 7 p.m. The presentation will consist of an explanation of the proposed design, right-of-way acquisition, relocation requirements/procedures, and the state-federal funding relationship.

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Port Authority hosting electric vehicle demonstration this Friday

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The N.C. State Ports Authority will host three electric vehicle manufacturers for a utility vehicle demonstration at the Port of Wilmington on Friday, May 13. The vehicles on display represent a cleaner option in the performance of daily maintenance and light industrial operations.

Members of the business community are invited to tour and test-drive the vehicles.

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NCDOT hearing on proposed widening of US 17/74/76/NC 133 in Leland set for May 19

LELAND, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 19 regarding the proposed widening of U.S. 17/74/76/N.C. 133 near Leland and Belville.

The meeting will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the USS North Carolina Battleship, #1 Battleship Road in Wilmington. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments about the proposed project. A formal presentation will begin at 7 p.m. The presentation will consist of an explanation of the proposed design, right-of-way acquisition, relocation requirements/procedures, and the state-federal funding relationship.

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NCDOT to launch N.C. Maritime Planning Strategy; will study role of ports

RALEIGH, N.C. – On Friday the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced the launch of the North Carolina Maritime Strategy planning study. The Governor’s Logistics Task Force recommended a study be initiated to evaluate the current and future role ports play, if any, in sustaining North Carolina’s efforts to create jobs and strengthen the economy across the State.

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North Carolina’s Amtrak Celebrates National Train Day on May 7

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s Amtrak will celebrate National Train Day by holding open houses at train stations from Charlotte to Fayetteville. The fun-filled annual event will raise awareness of North Carolina’s passenger rail service by encouraging people of all ages to visit their nearest train station for a day of train activities and trip planning information.  An event will be held at the Fayetteville Station, located at 472 Hay Street, from noon to 4 p.m.

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NCDOT to temporarily close NC 111 South in Onslow County

RALEIGH, N.C. — A section of N.C. 111 South between Richlands and Jacksonville will be closed from Union Chapel Church Road to N.C. 24/U.S. 258 on Saturday, May 7 from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., weather permitting.

The closure is necessary for the department to resurface the existing lanes of N.C. 111 at the intersection of N.C. 24/U.S. 258. Motorists traveling this section of N.C. 111 South will need to take Union Chapel Church Road during the closure.

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NCDOT invites citizens to offer input regarding transportation needs

RALEIGH, N.C. — Because transportation projects take years to plan, design and build, the N.C. Department of Transportation must look ahead 25 to 30 years to identify the transportation needs of the state. The department is launching an effort to update its Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan and wants the input of all North Carolinians to ensure the plan truly reflects their needs and which will be most critical in the future. All people need to do is take a brief survey to give their input.

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NCDOT: Some roads remain closed following Saturday’s storms

RALEIGH, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Transportation urges motorists to continue to use extreme caution when traveling through parts of the state hit by Saturday’s severe storms. High winds, heavy rain and hail knocked down trees and power lines and caused flooding in many areas. While all major routes are clear for travel, storm debris and downed power lines are still affecting various secondary routes in the affected areas.

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NCDOT plans to pick up storm debris from state road rights of way as needed following this weekend’s tornadoes

RALEIGH, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Transportation will pick up storm-related debris along state-maintained roads in severely-impacted areas following Saturday’s series of tornadoes across the state. NCDOT is working with local emergency management officials to determine collection locations and schedules. The public will be notified when they are finalized.

Please keep in mind while collecting debris for removal:

  • Check your homeowners insurance as often debris cleanup is covered by insurance and arrangements for its collection will be handled by the insurance company.
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Results of Cape Fear Business News online poll regarding transportation priorities in southeastern North Carolina

Cape Fear Business News recently conducted an online poll regarding transportation priorities in southeastern North Carolina.

The question: What do you think should be the top transportation priority in southeastern North Carolina?

The results:

  • Completing the I-140 bypass from Hwy 421 to US 74 and eventually US 17 in Brunswick County:  32%
  • Adding lanes to the US 17/74/76 causeway between Wilmington and Leland:  16%
  • Building the proposed Skyway Bridge across the Cape Fear River:  9%
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Opinion: Taxpayers To Be Railroaded

John Hood

by John Hood

Repeat after me: Federal money is no gift.

Virtually every dollar arriving from “Washington” to state and local governments in North Carolina has either been collected in taxes from North Carolinians or borrowed with principal and interest to be paid by taxes from North Carolinians.

When you hear about a local project to be funded with federal dollars, ask yourself if you would be willing to give up some good or service you benefit from today in order to fund it.

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All lanes on new Oak Island bridge now open to traffic

RALEIGH, N.C. – According to a press release from the N.C. Department of Transportation, all four lanes on the new bridge to Oak Island were scheduled to be open by 5 p.m. today. Two of the four lanes were opened in November 2010. The two other lanes were kept closed so that the contractor could complete work on the bridge.

The 980-foot bridge is the second bridge to connect the 14-mile long Oak Island to the mainland.  The new bridge is 65-feet tall with two 12-foot lanes in each direction and 4-foot shoulders on each side.

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NCDOT crews make progress on Interstates and other major routes

RALEIGH — N.C. Department of Transportation crews continue to respond to the winter storm, which is having varying impacts not only in different regions of the state, but also within parts of the same county. Motorists are reminded to allow plenty of room for NCDOT trucks to plow and spread salt and sand.

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Heavy rains expected to cause hazardous driving conditions in southeastern North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. – According to a press release from the N.C. Department of Transportation, the tropical depression off the coast of North Carolina is expected to bring significant rainfall to much of the state, which could result in flash flooding along roadways over the next few days. The NCDOT reminds motorists to avoid driving through flooded areas, even if they seem shallow. Just one foot of water can float many vehicles, while two feet of rushing water can carry away even SUVs and pick-ups; and flooding could hide the fact that a road has been washed away, creating even more hazardous conditions.

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N.C.’s ‘Move Over’ law expanded to help protect utility crews

RALEIGH, N.C. — Progress Energy distributed a press release yesterday announcing its support for recently approved changes to North Carolina’s “Move Over” law, which aims to protect emergency service workers on the state’s roadways. The changes, which go into effect Dec. 1, will modify the law’s existing definition of a public-service vehicle to include those driven by electric-utility workers responding to outages or other emergencies.

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NCDOT announces five projects in N.C. totaling $31.4 million, including one in Columbus County

RALEIGH, N.C. — N.C. Transportation Secretary Gene Conti announced last week that five contracts totaling $31.4 million have been awarded for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina, including two projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (a.k.a. the stimulus bill).  According to a press release the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law.

The projects funded with stimulus money are located in Durham and Orange counties. The three other projects are located in Beaufort, Columbus and Harnett counties.

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Heavy duty trucks must reduce idling under new N.C. rule

RALEIGH – Operators of heavy-duty trucks must reduce unnecessary idling to help improve air quality in North Carolina under a new rule that took effect this week.

The state Environmental Management Commission adopted the rule in July 2009, but its effective date was delayed until the end of the 2010 session of the General Assembly. The EMC adopted the rule as part of the state’s efforts to reduce air pollution in order to meet more stringent federal air quality standards. The rule applies to on-road gasoline and diesel-powered motor vehicles with a loaded weight greater than 10,000 pounds.

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John Locke Foundation: Better project selection process would improve N.C. transportation system

RALEIGH — A better project selection process is more important than new funding sources in addressing North Carolina’s transportation needs. The John Locke Foundation’s top budget expert will deliver that message today in testimony to state legislators.

“The question of how to address North Carolina’s long-term transportation challenges is not fundamentally a question of where or how to find new money,” said Joseph Coletti, JLF Director of Health and Fiscal Policy Studies. “It’s a question of how to select road projects that best meet the needs of the state.”

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Hearing on proposed interchange at N.C. 24 and Camp Lejeune set for Apr. 13

RALEIGH, NC — The N.C. Department of Transportation, together with the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, April 13 for the proposed interchange at N.C. 24 and the new base entry road.

The informal meeting will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. at Jacksonville City Hall in Meeting Rooms A and B, located at 815 New Bridge Street. NCDOT and USMC representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments about the proposed interchange project. Interested citizens may attend at any time during the above mentioned hours. No formal presentation will be given.

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Finch named new NCDOT Ferry Director

RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Department of Transportation today announced Harold “Buddy” Finch, a retired Coast Guard Commanding Officer as the new director for the Ferry Division.  He begins on Monday, May 3.

“Buddy brings more than 30 years of leadership, management and maritime experience to this position,” said NCDOT Deputy Secretary for Transit Jim Westmoreland. “I’m confident he’ll serve North Carolina’s coastal residents and our visitors with distinction.”