The N.C. Department of Transportation’s regional monthly newsletters includes links to the latest local, regional and statewide transportation news and information.
Sign up to get newsletters delivered to your inbox each month, and check out recent newsletters below.
Division 7 – Covers Orange County
Division 8 – Covers Chatham, Lee and Moore Counties
| RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has released its State Rail Plan for public comment. “Updating this report helps us strategically plan for the future of North Carolina’s passenger and freight rail systems,” said Jason Orthner, Rail Division Director at the N.C. Department of Transportation. “Public feedback is essential to ensure we’re supporting a rail network that serves and benefits all North Carolinians.” The State Rail Plan helps identify needs and guides public investments in North Carolina’s freight and passenger rail network. The 2025 plan aims to clearly communicate the vision for North Carolina’s rail system while supporting the state’s goals and policies when it comes to rail. The report not only highlights needs and plans for passenger rail but for freight rail and economic investment as well. Some key initiatives in the report are: |
Furthermore, the State Rail Plan estimates levels of financial investment necessary to meet future railroad demands while growing the railroad networks vitality and economic contribution to the state.
Public comment on the report with be open through Jan. 20, 2026. To comment on the report, visit NCDOT’s Public Input website.
| HILLSBOROUGH – Contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation are set to close the exit ramp from Interstate 85 South to I-40 East (Exit 163) this week. Beginning the morning of Dec. 18, crews will close the ramp for asphalt paving. The off-ramp is scheduled to reopen by Dec. 20 at 7 p.m., weather permitting. A signed detour will be in place directing traffic to take Exit 161 (U.S. 70 East) and then take the ramp for I-40 East/I-85 North. Drivers should be mindful of crews working in the area and allow extra time to reach their destination. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media. |
RALEIGH – Families can celebrate the holidays by getting on board NC By Train’s Santa Train on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The popular train originates at Raleigh Union Station, travels to Greensboro and returns to Raleigh. Passengers can board the train at any of the stations along the way in Raleigh, Cary, Durham or Burlington.
During the trip, children and families can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and give Santa their holiday ‘Wish List’, enjoy light refreshments and make memories to last a lifetime while traveling aboard the state’s intercity passenger rail service.
People should reserve their seats now. Tickets for the one-day event are limited and expected to sell out quickly.
Tickets for the Raleigh Santa Train can be purchased online by visiting NCByTrain.org or calling 800-872-7245.
To ride the Santa Train, book your round-trip ticket(s) on Piedmont Train #73 leaving from any of these stops to Greensboro (GRO):
Piedmont Train #73 arrives in Greensboro at 11 a.m.
Book the return portion of your round-trip ticket on Piedmont Train #72 departing Greensboro (GRO) at 11:56 a.m.
Scheduled departure times for Piedmont Train #72 to Raleigh will be adjusted to accommodate the Santa Train as follows only on Dec. 13:
Arriving at Raleigh Union Station (RGH) at 1:48 p.m.
Please remember to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.
NC By Train is an easy, hassle-free way to travel every day and to a variety of events, festivals and sporting events in comfort and convenience.
Visit NCByTrain.org for tickets, full schedules and discounts and follow NC By Train on social media at Twitter/X and Instagram @NC_By_Train and NC By Train on Facebook and LinkedIn.
ABERDEEN – Two highway sections and 14 secondary roads across Moore County will be repaved under a $4 million contract awarded last week by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
The milling and resurfacing will be done to the following road sections, which total 25 miles:
Fred Smith Co. of Raleigh is expected to begin work early next year, and will have until the summer of 2027 to finish.
Statewide safety campaign runs Nov. 24-30
RALEIGH – With millions expected to travel on North Carolina roads this Thanksgiving holiday, state officials are launching a statewide “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign.
From Nov. 24-30, law enforcement agencies statewide will increase patrols as part of the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s annual Thanksgiving safety initiative. The campaign aims to reduce preventable injuries and deaths during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
“Seat belts save lives and wearing one is the easiest step anyone can take to stay safe on the road,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “We want everyone to arrive safely to their destination. Those who do not comply can expect to be stopped.”
Lack of seatbelt use is a primary contributor to traffic fatalities. In each of the last five years, at least 40% of the vehicle fatalities were unbuckled, according to the North Carolina 2024 Traffic Crash Facts report. Last year, 1,181 people died, and 40% (471) of those people killed were not wearing a seat belt.
During Thanksgiving week in 2024, a total of 23 people were killed and 65% of those (15) were not wearing a seat belt.
“North Carolina’s roads belong to all of us, and when you buckle up, you are protecting yourself and others,” said Ezzell. “Each passenger should make it their highest priority for every trip, every time.”
The aid will be used mainly to fix streets
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation is distributing more than $185.6 million in State Street Aid to the 508 qualified municipalities that participate in the Powell Bill program. The annual allocation is disbursed to cities and towns primarily for resurfacing the municipally maintained streets located within corporate limits. It brings positive news to cash-strapped municipalities, including 110 of the communities in areas that were most impacted by Hurricane Helene. “Powell Bill funds often bridge a meaningful gap in resources, helping cities and towns keep up with demands on their local transportation systems,” said North Carolina Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson. “We are pleased to help address these critical needs and grateful to our state leaders for their continued support of this program.” The Powell Bill website has additional program support information such as the Powell Bill expenditure guidance, which includes a list of eligible and ineligible Powell Bill expenditures. The initial allocation, or half of the total appropriation, was disbursed earlier this fall. The other half will be distributed by Jan. 1, said Molly Stevens, NCDOT Powell Bill Program coordinator. In addition to resurfacing municipal streets, Powell Bill funds can also be used to maintain, repair, construct or widen streets, bridges and drainage areas within the corporate limits. Municipalities can also use the funds to plan, construct and maintain bike paths, greenways or sidewalks. The participating municipalities attest each year they are qualified to participate in the Powell Bill Program by submitting the annually required Powell Bill information. Funding for the Powell Bill comes from revenues generated by the gas tax and other highway user fees. The amount each municipality receives is based on a formula set by the N.C. General Assembly, with 75 percent of the funds based on population and 25 percent based on the number of certified, municipally maintained street miles. The fund is named for Junius K. Powell, a former state senator and mayor of Whiteville. Powell was the primary sponsor of the 1951 bill that helped the state’s municipalities with urban road problems. The first allocation of Powell Bill funds was for $4.5 million and was distributed to 386 municipalities. The complete list of municipalities that are receiving Powell Bill funds can also be found on the Powell Bill website. |
| RALEIGH – NC By Train continues to break ridership records in 2025.The state-supported intercity passenger rail service experienced its single highest ridership month in 35 years of service in October. NC By Train carried 74,400 passengers which is an almost 10% increase over ridership in October 2024. “We’re thrilled to see passenger rail ridership continue to grow across North Carolina as more people experience the convenience and benefits of train travel,” said NCDOT Rail Division director Jason Orthner. “Whether you are traveling for business, sporting events, school, to visit family or just for fun, NC By Train is a comfortable, affordable, and stress-free way to get to your destination.” NC By Train has seen an overall 4% increase in ridership for 2025 thus far. Ridership totaled 608,300 passengers between January and October 2025 compared to 584,600 during the same period in 2024. NC By Train’s growth since 2022 has been astounding, carrying 522,000 passengers in 2022, 641,000 passengers in 2023 and over 720,000 passengers in 2024, and is on track to break its ridership record again in 2025. The service’s popularity continues to grow as more people learn how easy and stress-free it is to use, the affordability of tickets, and other benefits of traveling by train. Increased availability of daily trip options introduced in July 2023, special trains and stops to iconic N.C. events and increased collaboration with partners on projects like the Ale Trail by Rail have all contributed to the ridership growth. NC By Train also adjusts its schedules to get football fans to Charlotte for Carolina Panthers’ home games starting at 1 p.m. This year, there are still two opportunities to take NC By Train to home football games in Charlotte on Nov. 30 and Dec. 21. NCDOT encourages people to take advantage of the safe, comfortable and convenient transportation available on NC By Train with its large seats, charging outlets at each seat and free WiFi. NC By Train offers a variety of everyday discounts for children, students, active military personnel, veterans and seniors. The service also offers Share Fare, which allows groups of up to eight people to save money with each additional ticket that is purchased. Visit NC By Train for more information, to plan a trip and to buy tickets.Follow us on social media at Twitter/X and Instagram @NC_By_Train and NC By Train on Facebook and LinkedIn. |
| CHAPEL HILL – The N.C. Department of Transportation will temporarily close a stretch of New Hope Church Road in Chapel Hill this week, weather permitting. Beginning Nov. 19 at midnight, crews will close both directions of New Hope Church Road between Old N.C. 86 and N.C. 86 near Interstate 40 to conduct bridge rehabilitation work. The road is scheduled to reopen by Nov. 22 at 10 p.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 Old N.C. 86. Northbound traffic: Turn right onto Old N.C. 86, left on Eubanks Road and then left on N.C. 86. |
