This Week at NCDOT: INFRA Grant and Build North Carolina

by Kathy Grear 06/15/2018

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.

INFRA Grant

Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that North Carolina was selected to receive a $147 million grant through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America – or INFRA – program. The money will help NCDOT improve two eastern North Carolina highways that are critical to commerce and the movement of the military and people.

Twenty-five miles of Interstate 95 will be widened from four lanes to eight, greatly improving safety, capacity and reliability for one of the most heavily traveled interstates on the East Coast. It will also accelerate work to convert U.S. 70 into Interstate 42 between Raleigh and the Port of Morehead City.

In addition, 300 miles of fiber optic cables will be installed along both corridors to help provide high-speed broadband and telecommunications access in rural areas.

Work is expected to begin by 2020.

Build NC

This week, the N.C. General Assembly approved a new financing tool that will allow the department to build more critical road projects in communities across the state without delays.

Called Build NC, the tool provides funding stability for road construction over the next decade by allowing the department to request up to $300 million in bonds be sold if NCDOT maintains strong project delivery.

It will also provide private sector businesses that build our roadways a stable industry over the next few years, allowing them to grow capacity to meet market demand with less risk.

The bill is now headed to Governor Roy Cooper for his signature.

Richard Petty REAL ID

NASCAR legend Richard Petty earned a gold star by getting his REAL ID at the Asheboro DMV recently.

“The King,” as he’s known, has summer travel plans and said having his REAL ID will make things easier when boarding a plane.

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.