The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has had a busy week with notable updates concerning state infrastructure and honors for one of its own public servants. A segment of Interstate 85 has been designated as "Senator Elizabeth Dole Highway," paying tribute to the extensive service and leadership of the Salisbury native. According to NCDOT, this stretch from near Jake Alexander Boulevard to Bringle Ferry Road in Salisbury is signed in recognition of Dole's work as U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Labor, president of the American Red Cross, and her tenure as North Carolina’s first female U.S. Senator.
But it's not just about ceremonial naming—the department is actively engaged in reconstruction efforts post-Hurricane Helene. Two sites have been pegged in the Pigeon River Gorge for the extraction and storage of materials intended for repairing sections of Interstate 40. This strategic choice is purported to cut down on both construction costs and the time needed to complete the project, taking advantage of the proximity of these sites to the damaged areas.
Infrastructure assessments also continue underwater, where NCDOT's bridge inspectors conduct thorough examinations of the state's submerged bridge supports. "Nobody thinks about it – but you can't see what’s going on under water without actually going down there and putting your hands on it," expressed Underwater Bridge Supervisor Billy Mueller in a statement that captures both the essence and the challenge of this critical work. Over 4,200 structures require these underwater check-ups, providing essential data to maintenance engineers for the necessary repairs and updates.
