The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been awarded $1.1 million to build a drone program to be tested in Lumberton and then used in other communities.
transportation
Commission OKs sandbag variance for NC 12 on Pea Island
Transportation officials plan to begin building in January a temporary sandbag structure that wouldn’t otherwise meet coastal development rules along Highway 12 by the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge visitor center in Rodanthe.
Commission to hear NCDOT request on Pea Island sandbags
The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission will hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. Monday by web conference to hear a variance request from the N.C. Department of Transportation regarding sandbags at Pea Island in Dare County.
NCDOT announced 2025 passenger, vehicle ferry schedule
The state Ferry Division has released the 2025 schedule for all seven vehicle routes and the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry.
State to hold meeting on Currituck County bridge plans
N.C. Department of Transportation officials are hosting a Dec. 9 meeting to discuss the proposed replacement of Marsh Causeway near Knotts Island.
Village loses appeal in Bald Head Island ferry sale dispute
The North Carolina Court of Appeals has rejected the village’s request to beef up pricing protections and other safeguards for users of the only ferry service to the Brunswick County island.
State, Greyhound add university stop in Elizabeth City
The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that it had partnered with Greyhound in expanding bus service to Elizabeth City State University to make it easier for people to access the state and national intercity bus network.
Coast receives millions for transportation improvements
Numerous municipalities in coastal counties have receive the first of two transportation funding installments to repair locally maintained streets, road and bridges.
Ocracoke a beacon of maritime history, quiet attraction
Accessible only by water or small aircraft, the barrier island and its villagers see the population swell each summer as visitors flock to its history, restaurants, nature and beaches.
Student aviation art contest to highlight ‘Women with Wings’
The 2025 theme, “Women with Wings,” celebrates the pioneering women who were trailblazers in aviation, such as pilots, skydivers or women who built and maintained aircraft, NCDOT officials said.
Revised Bald Head ferry schedule gets green light from state
After reaching a settlement earlier this fall with the Village of Bald Head Island and other groups, Bald Head Island Transportation Inc., has received approval to begin operating on a revised, hybrid schedule no earlier than Friday.
Segment of Highway 211 near Southport to reopen Thursday
A portion of Brunswick County’s N.C. Highway 211 is set to be reopened to vehicle traffic Thursday, ahead of schedule, officials said, after the bridge was damaged by a storm in September.
Cape Fear bridge replacement comment period ends Oct. 25
State transportation officials are accepting public comment and have scheduled meetings Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 about the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement project and plans to widen South Front Street.
Groups who joined to take on marine debris assess progress
Five years into a coastwide plan to address marine debris in North Carolina waters, those behind the plan met last week to judge their effort and consider the message going forward.
Officials ask motorists leaving Southport to go another way
The Highway 211 closure north of Southport is creating heavy traffic on N.C. 87, so to adjust to the increased volume, drivers in the area are asked to start taking an alternate route ahead of a detour.
Coastal flood advisory in effect
A vehicle creates a wake Tuesday while passing through floodwaters from the saltmarsh along Crow Hill Road near Otway in Down East Carteret County. Carteret County and coastal Onslow County were placed under a coastal flood advisory Tuesday effective until 5 p.m. Wednesday. Up to a foot of inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Officials urge people not to drive through waters of unknown depths. Photo: Dylan Ray