NCDOT continues to improve lives across all realms of transportation

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation accomplished feats in 2022 that will improve the lives of North Carolinians and visitors to our state for decades to come.

As the state, nation and the world emerged from the pandemic, NCDOT resumed its place as a national leader with its transportation projects, initiatives, and campaigns. Our employees, contractors, our partners overcame unforeseen challenges to improve the ways we connect people, products and places, boost North Carolina’s economy, and create new opportunities for communities statewide.

Each NCDOT division – Aviation, DMV, Ferry, Global TransPark, Highways, Integrated Mobility, Ports Authority, Rail and Turnpike Authority – had its own major highlights and small victories that will have lasting positive impacts. Below is a sample of NCDOT’s 2022 accomplishments.

The more comprehensive list is featured in our newscast quality year-end video. 
 

Drones Tethered to IMAP Trucks 
•    As part of a pilot project in March, two tethered drones from the Division of Aviation’s Unmanned Aircraft System program were paired with trucks from the statewide Incident Management Assistance Patrol program. The drones fly above an active traffic or roadside emergency to give more accurate, on-site footage for first responders. 

N.C. Ferry System Celebrates 75th Anniversary 
•    The N.C. Ferry System eclipsed the 75-year service mark and celebrated throughout the year with events and special displays, and by encouraging riders to share their #FerryTales and pictures with the department. The second largest state-owned ferry system in the nation operates seven regular routes along the entire North Carolina coast, and a seasonal passenger-only service between Hatteras and Ocracoke Village.

NCDMV’s Q-Anywhere Launches 
•    In July, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles launched Q-Anywhere, a new service that allows customers at driver license offices to check in by scanning a QR code and texting a short message to hold their place in the line while they relax in their car or run a nearby errand. The service will send a text to customers to enter the lobby when staff is ready to serve them.

Early Flood Warning System Used for the First Time 
•    A new early flood warning system was fully implemented for the first time statewide for Hurricane Ian in September. The system includes over 50 stream gauges covering 2,900 miles primarily east of I-95, and 4,000 bridges and culverts statewide. It will help save lives and allow NCDOT to better prepare for, respond to and recover more quickly from extreme events.

Corridor K Construction Begins 
•    Following decades of discussion and planning, NCDOT held a groundbreaking ceremony in October for work on the area known as Corridor K. Four sections comprise the entire 12-mile project, which will realign U.S. 129, N.C. 143 and N.C. 28 between U.S. 129 near Robbinsville and the existing four-lane section of N.C. 28 in Stecoah. The highways will have wider shoulders and climbing lanes, and the largest land bridge east of the Rockies will be built for wildlife and the Appalachian Trail. 

Train Passenger Service Breaks Records 
•    NC By Train had more people ride the state’s intercity passenger rail service in October than in any month before in its 32-year history. Nearly 55,500 passengers rode the Carolinian and Piedmont trains in October, marking the second straight month of record-breaking ridership.