| RALEIGH – As Memorial Day travelers hit North Carolina roads for the unofficial start of summer, state and local law enforcement agencies are reminding everyone to buckle up for every trip, every time. The Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s annual Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign begins today and runs through May 31. The statewide initiative combines public awareness efforts with increased law enforcement patrols aimed at encouraging seat belt use and reducing preventable crash deaths. “Wearing a seatbelt remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself in a crash,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “Taking just a few seconds to buckle up can save your life and the lives of others in your vehicle.” During last year’s enforcement campaign, law enforcement officers issued 4,762 citations for people not wearing the proper restraints. In 2024, more than 460 people were killed and 1,027 others seriously injured because they were not wearing seat belts or child safety seats. Throughout the campaign, drivers can expect increased enforcement of North Carolina’s seat belt law across the state. Law enforcement officers will be working to ensure drivers and passengers are properly restrained, especially during the busy holiday travel period. The Memorial Day holiday historically marks one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, bringing heavier traffic to highways and local roads statewide. Officials encourage drivers to plan ahead, avoid distractions, obey speed limits and make safety a priority behind the wheel. |
| ***NCDOT*** |
NCDOT Opens New Section of Chatham Park Way
PITTSBORO – The N.C. Department of Transportation joined local officials Thursday to celebrate the opening of a northern segment of Chatham Park Way.
The new roadway stretches nearly a mile from Suttles Road near the U.S. 64 interchange to Grant Drive. It features two travel lanes in each direction separated by a raised median to improve safety.
Officials from the town of Pittsboro and Chatham County joined NCDOT Division 8 staff for a ribbon cutting Thursday morning to mark the project completion. After the event, the contractor removed the barricades to open the roadway to traffic.
This segment, along with the realignment of Suttles Road with Chatham Park Way, cost about $19 million to construct.
Construction continues on the next 1.5 mile segment from Grant Drive to a future intersection with U.S. 15/501. The $15 million project remains on schedule to be completed and opened to traffic by early fall 2027.
Below is a view looking north of the new Chatham Park Way:
Road Closure Upcoming in Orange County
| CHAPEL HILL – The N.C. Department of Transportation will temporarily close a stretch of New Hope Church Road next week, weather permitting. Beginning April 20 at 5 a.m., crews will close New Hope Church Road where it passes over Interstate 40 to conduct bridge rehabilitation work. The road is scheduled to reopen by April 30 at 5 a.m. Motorists are encouraged to check DriveNC.gov for real-time traffic updates and utilize the following detours: Southbound traffic: Turn left onto N.C. 86, right on Eubanks Road and then right on Hillsborough Road. Northbound traffic: Turn right onto Hillsborough Road, left on Eubanks Road and then left on N.C. 86. |