In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, members of the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Incident Management Assistance Patrol (IMAP) have stepped up to not only manage traffic during regular incidents but also to save lives during crises. According to a report by the NCDOT, IMAP responders were dispatched to Interstate 40 as the Pigeon River caused significant damage to the roadway. The team worked to direct drivers away from the danger, back toward Tennessee. "To us it’s just our job. It’s what we do every da. It’s what we’re here for. We want to help people out. Get them on their way safely. I do not feel like a hero at all. It was just another day to help out," Chris Strader, Senior IMAP Responder, told NCDOT.
Garret McFalls, also a Senior IMAP Responder, shared a more spiritual perspective on the event, stating, "I strongly, strongly believe that God had a hand in this. And had his hand of protection not been on the believe down there we would’ve had multiple fatalities — maybe myself and Chris included. We felt like we had a hand of protection over us that day for sure," he recounted to NCDOT. While the situation on the ground has improved, with many roads reopening, the public can stay updated on closures by visiting DriveNC.gov.
In other NCDOT news, a Raleigh interchange has recently been named in honor of a revered Saint Augustine’s University track and field coach, George Williams. The Interstate 440 and New Bern Avenue interchange now carries the legacy of a man who led his teams to 39 NCAA Division II national titles, an impressive feat documented in the dedication ceremony covered by local officials and the school, as highlighted by NCDOT.
Memory also has a new marker in Carteret County, where a bridge now stands as a tribute to Patrolman W J Smith Junior, a fallen North Carolina State Trooper who died in the line of duty in 1974. NCDOT reports say family, friends, and former colleagues gathered to remember Smith and unveil the signage that will forever mark the site of his tragic accident.
Lastly, for those looking to promptly get into the holiday spirit, NC By Train is set to resurrect its Santa Train for the first time in five years. The festive service, as NCDOT details, is scheduled to depart Raleigh for Greensboro next Saturday, offering a cheerful ride for those bound to and from the Capital City.
