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
| HILLSBOROUGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation has temporarily closed an Orange County road for bridge rehabilitation work. Both directions of Dimmocks Mill Road over I-85/I-40 are closed and are expected to reopen Nov. 21, weather permitting. Traffic is advised to use New Grady Brown School Road, Orange Grove Road and Eno Mountain Road to access points on either side of the closure. Transportation officials remind drivers to plan ahead, be alert to construction crews in the area and obey all posted traffic signs. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov and follow NCDOT on social media. |
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
Increased enforcement statewide Oct. 27-Nov. 2
| RALEIGH – Halloween should be scary for the costumes, not the consequences of drinking and driving. The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program hosted a press conference today to launch its annual “Halloween Booze It & Lose It” enforcement campaign, reminding everyone that if you drink, never drive. Beginning Monday, law enforcement agencies in all 100 counties will step up patrols and sobriety checkpoints to catch and deter impaired drivers before tragedy strikes. “Driving under the influence is a choice that can have devastating consequences,” said NCGHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “A critical part of celebrating Halloween is planning ahead to ensure the safety of everyone. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver to transport you to and from your festivities.” According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, hundreds of people lose their lives in preventable impaired driving crashes every year. During last year’s Halloween enforcement period, troopers and local police made 588 DWI arrests as part of the statewide effort to reduce impaired-driving deaths. The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles reports that 361 people died in alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina in 2024. There was a total of 11,782 alcohol-related crashes on N.C. roads last year. Please visit this NCDOT website for the state’s most recent crash data. “All the education and outreach won’t have a positive impact without people who make a conscious decision to never get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking or using other impairing substances,” said Daniel Johnson, secretary of the N.C. Department of Transportation. “Had people simply made a decision not to drink and drive, we would have no reason to hold press conferences like this one.” Friday’s press event was held at the Safety City exhibit at the North Carolina State Fair. The interactive exhibit educates fairgoers on driver safety. In addition to Ezzell and Johnson, speakers at the event included State Executive Director for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Emily Ferraro and Greensboro Police Cpl. Nicholas Walton, an advocate for safe driving. As part of the Halloween Booze It & Lose It initiative, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program also announced the “Don’t Play With Death” media campaign that enforces positive driving behavior. |
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Western North Carolina is open for visitors
| RALEIGH – As communities in Western North Carolina continue recovering from Hurricane Helene, many scenic byways remain open and accessible, welcoming travelers eager to experience fall’s beauty and support local businesses. With recovery efforts underway, now is the perfect time to experience the best of fall in North Carolina. Crisp air, golden light and a kaleidoscope of leaves await along the state’s 62 scenic byways, offering unforgettable adventures. Whether you’re chasing peak foliage or simply looking for a scenic escape, travelers can enjoy winding roads, rolling landscapes and welcoming communities filled with local charm, regional food and plenty of spots worth stopping for. “North Carolina’s scenic byways not only showcase some of the state’s most breathtaking fall landscapes but also serve as vital routes supporting the recovery and resilience of communities impacted by recent storms,” said Jeremy Goodwin, N.C. Department of Transportation’s roadside environmental engineer. “This season, travelers have a wonderful opportunity to explore, enjoy the stunning scenery and contribute to the ongoing revival of Western North Carolina’s towns and local businesses.” The following North Carolina mountain scenic byways remain open and welcome visitors this season: |
Before traveling, NCDOT encourages motorists to visit DriveNC.gov to ensure their route is accessible. To find other scenic byways across the state, visit this webpage.
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| ORANGE COUNTY – Contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation will close Mill House Road near Chapel Hill for nighttime construction work. The closure will be in place from Oct. 12 through Oct. 24 to allow for bridge construction. Work will occur Sunday through Thursday nights, beginning at 9 p.m. and finishing at 5 a.m. the following morning, weather permitting. 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 onto Mill House Road. Northbound traffic: Continue on Eubanks Road and turn left on N.C. 86. |
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 N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation is once again calling on young artists to showcase their creativity in the 2026 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest. The annual competition, open to students across the state, gives participants the chance to explore the world of flight through art. This year’s theme, “Fly to Save Lives,” challenges students to illustrate how aviation and air sports can help people in need, from delivering supplies to supporting rescue missions. “We look forward to this contest every year,” said Nick Short, director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation. “It’s always inspiring to see the creativity of students and how they imagine the many ways aviation can make a difference.” North Carolina students born between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2019, are eligible to submit entries in one of three age groups: |
Cash prizes, provided by the North Carolina Airports Association, will be awarded to the top three students in each age group and their schools.
Entries for North Carolina’s contest must be received by Jan. 16, 2026.
The artwork of the three North Carolina winners in each age group will advance to the national competition, hosted by the National Association of State Aviation Officials. National winners then move on to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s international contest in Switzerland.
For eligibility details, submission forms and more, visit the NCDOT Aviation Art Contest page.
Questions? Contact North Carolina’s contest coordinator, Haven Bailey, at ext-hrbailey1@ncdot.gov or 919-814-0550.
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| CLAYTON – BeRailSafe, the N.C. Department of Transportation Rail Division’s railroad safety unit, is promoting National See Tracks? Think Train! Week through education and outreach. “National See Tracks? Think Train Week is a great opportunity to highlight railroad track and crossing safety messaging that we teach year-round” said NCDOT Rail Division director, Jason Orthner. “It is important for everyone to know how to safely and legally behave around railroad tracks and crossings to avoid unnecessary track tragedies.” On Tuesday, BeRailSafe and partner organizations, including the Clayton Police Department, N.C. Operation Lifesaver, Amtrak Police and Norfolk Southern Police, conducted three simultaneous crossing blitzes in Clayton and talked to over 1500 motorists to provide railroad track and crossing safety information. A “crossing blitz” is a public awareness safety exercise organized on roads near a railroad crossing where motorists are greeted and thanked for practicing safe driving behaviors. These activities emphasize the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespass laws. See Tracks? Think Train! Week happening Sept. 15 – 22 urges the public to be alert, recognize rail-related risks and take an active role in preventing tragic incidents. Throughout the week, state railroad safety programs and partners across the U.S. deliver rail safety education through community outreach, social media campaigns, news stories and in-person events. “It’s critical we get this information to as many people as possible to make them aware of the dangers of unsafe behavior around railroad tracks and crossings,” says Ain Flowers, NCDOT’s BeRailSafe program coordinator. “Our No. 1 goal is to save lives by teaching people about railroad track and crossing safety to prevent injuries and fatalities.” The BeRailSafe program provides free rail safety training to police, fire and 911 operators in all 100 counties of North Carolina. Staff with the outreach program also promote rail safety statewide at festivals and events. To prevent tragedies on railroad tracks and at crossings, BeRailSafe reminds people to follow these safety tips: |
For more safety tips or to request a BeRailSafe presentation, visit this BeRailSafe.org and follow NC By Train on social media at Twitter/X and Instagram @NC_By_Train and NC By Train on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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