CPRPO News

Proposed Bridge Replacement on Cumnock Road – Lee County

STIP Number B-5976

The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to replace two bridges over the railway on Cumnock Road in Sanford. The purpose of the project is to replace structurally deficient bridges with new structures that meet current NCDOT standards for state road bridges.

A public meeting is scheduled for:

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025
5-7 p.m.
Northview Fire Department Substation
804 Cumnock Road
Sanford

The information presented at the public meeting will allow for individual discussions with project engineers, but there will be no formal presentation. Project details and maps can be found at the NCDOT public i​nput w​ebpage​​​​​​​​​​​​.​​​​​​​​

​Public Comment

NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments. The comments and information received will be taken into consideration as work on the project develops.

The opportunity to submit written comments will be provided at the meeting or can be submitted via phone at (984) 205-6615, enter project code 11915 email at cumnockbridgereplacement@publicinput.com​ or at NCDOT’s public input portal by Oct. 9, 2025.

For additional information or to mail comments, contact:

Timothy F. Welch, P.E. 
Bridge Program Manager
NCDOT Highway Division 8
121 DOT Drive 
Carthage, NC 28327

​Submit Comments​​

Special Accommodations

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this workshop.

Anyone requiring special services should contact as early as possible:

Emily Richards
Environmental Analysis Unit
919-707-6014
edrichards1@ncdot.gov

Persons who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Aquellas personas no hablan inglés, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan antes de la reunión llamando al 1-800-481-6494.

Last updated Sep. 8, 2025

CPRPO News

NCDOT Seeks Input on Future Transportation Projects

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation is asking the public to provide input on what transportation projects they would like to see included in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s next 10-year transportation plan for 2028-2037.

With a goal of increasing safety, reducing congestion and promoting economic growth, NCDOT uses data and local input to determine which projects get funded in the 10-year State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) based on a specific formula created by the Strategic Transportation Investments law. It allows NCDOT to use its funding more efficiently to enhance North Carolina’s infrastructure, supporting job creation and a higher quality of life.

A statewide public comment period to submit project ideas and other feedback is now open and runs through Friday, Aug. 29. During this period, the public can send project suggestions in a short, interactive online survey or attend one of the weeklong drop-in sessions at NCDOT offices across the state. The online survey and in-person meeting dates can be found on NCDOT’s website.

Projects can be as large-scale as an interstate improvement or as small as a new turn lane or intersection improvement and can be for any of NCDOT’s six modes of transportation – highway, aviation, bicycle and pedestrian, ferry, public transportation and rail. Please note that the comment period is not for maintenance-related projects such as patching potholes, resurfacing or ditches. NCDOT uses a different method to prioritize maintenance projects.

NCDOT will also collect input from local transportation planning organizations and from its own staff throughout the state as it puts together the list of potential projects.

Project scores and a draft list of projects identified for funding at the Statewide Mobility level – the first of three tiers in the project prioritization process – are expected to be released by spring 2026. Additional public comment periods regarding Regional Impact- and Division Needs-level projects will be held later in 2026 year.

The 2028-2037 draft STIP is expected to be released in early 2027, followed by adoption by the Board of Transportation that summer.


For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

***NCDOT***

CPRPO News

“Speeding Catches Up With You” Campaign Targets Dangerous Driving

Statewide enforcement campaign takes place July 21-27

RALEIGH – Speeding is one of the most frequent traffic violations, but its consequences can be deadly.

The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program  and law enforcement agencies statewide are launching a weeklong initiative called “Speeding Catches Up With You” to crack down on speeding.

“Speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities on our roads,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “This campaign reminds drivers that no destination is worth the cost of a life. Speeding is dangerous. It’s illegal, and it will catch up with you.”

Today through July 27, drivers can expect to see increased law enforcement presence on highways and local roads. Officers will focus on identifying and stopping drivers who exceed posted speed limits or engage in aggressive driving behavior.

In 2024, speed-related crashes in North Carolina led to nearly 400 deaths and thousands of preventable injuries. 

This speed campaign is one of GHSP’s many year-round initiatives that promote safe driving through education, enforcement and community partnerships. 

Drivers are encouraged to:

– Obey all posted speed limits. 
– Allow extra time to reach their destinations. 
– Stay alert and avoid distractions. 
– Always drive sober and buckle up. 

***NCDOT***

CPRPO News

NCDMV Announces Moratorium on Driver License Expirations

Saturday service hours resume at 20 Locations this weekend

ROCKY MOUNT – The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) announces that, effective July 1, 2025, Senate Bill 391 has been signed into law by Governor Josh Stein, establishing a moratorium on the expiration of Class C driver licenses in North Carolina.

Under this legislation, Class C licenses (standard passenger vehicle licenses) expiring on or after July 1, 2025, will remain valid for driving purposes within the state for up to two years beyond the printed expiration date.

The moratorium, in effect through Dec. 31, 2027, applies only to Class C licenses and allows continued in-state driving privileges during the two-year grace period. Expired licenses will not be valid for any purpose other than establishing the license holder’s driving privilege, including identification purposes and air travel, and may not be recognized by other states or federal entities. The moratorium does not apply to commercial driver licenses, or any licenses that are suspended, revoked, or cancelled.

“Thank you to the Legislature and Governor for this temporary measure to provide flexibility for North Carolina drivers while we work to address the increased demand for our services,” said NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine. “Customers may present expired Class C licenses for in-state driving privileges only if the expiration date is July 1, 2025, or later. However, we advise our customers to renew their licenses to ensure they remain valid for identification purposes, including to fly, rent a car, get a bank loan, fill a prescription and have documents notarized.”

Saturday Service Hours Resume at 20 Locations

Beginning again this weekend, and through Aug. 23, NCDMV will offer walk-in services at 20 locations on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., no appointment needed. Available services include driver license and ID card renewals, duplicates, address changes, REAL ID issuance, and road tests for those who have completed knowledge and written tests.

Before visiting, check if your needs can be met online. NCDMV provides many services digitally, such as license and ID renewals, duplicates, address changes, and voter registration applications.

***NCDOT***

CPRPO News

NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program Stresses Summer Driving, Heat Safety

Officials call for vigilance for summer travel, vehicular heatstroke prevention

Picture of a Caution sign
RALEIGH – As North Carolina enters the heart of the summer vacation period, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program is partnering with the N.C. Department of Insurance to underscore critical safety measures focusing on holiday travel safety and the dangers of vehicular heatstroke.
 
GHSP Director Mark Ezzell joined N.C. Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey and Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell at a press conference today at the eastbound Interstate 40 Rest Area in Benson, emphasizing the shared responsibility of all North Carolinians to ensure a safe summer for everyone on and off the roads.
 
“The summer months between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend are a popular time for folks to enjoy our beautiful state, but it is also a time of increased travel, hot weather and a change in routine,” Ezzell said. “We all must commit to making smart choices behind the wheel and never leaving children or pets unattended in vehicles, even for a moment.”

Commissioner Causey and Sheriff Bizzell reinforced this safety message by highlighting the often-fatal consequences of vehicular heatstroke. It is vital for all state residents and visitors to:
  • Never leave a child, vulnerable adult or pet unattended in a hot vehicle.
  • Always check the back seat before leaving your vehicle.
  • Plan travel routes in advance and allow extra time for potential delays.
  • Designate a sober driver or plan for a safe ride home if you plan to consume alcohol or other impairing substances.
  • Buckle up in every seat, every time.
  • Avoid distracted driving by utilizing hands-free technology or putting away cell phones and other devices.
  • Be aware of increased pedestrian and cyclist activity during summer months.

Through this and other similar public awareness campaigns, North Carolina leaders are determined to make our roads safer for everyone during the summer and throughout the rest of the year. 

***NCDOT***

CPRPO News

NCDOT Unveils Final Pinehurst Traffic Circle Design at MPO Meeting

​​Updated design for the Pinehurst Traffic Circle​.

MOORE COUNTY – To preserve history, and improve safety, a new design has been unveiled for a well-known intersection in Moore County.

The N.C. Department of Transportation Division Engineer, Reuben Blakley, presented the updated design for the Pinehurst Traffic Circle at the Sandhills Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting.

This design is the culmination of years of collaboration between NCDOT and local communities, aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing accidents at this historic intersection. The traffic circle, located within a National Historic District, serves as a key gateway to the Village of Pinehurst and is facing increasing traffic demands.

Initiated in 2013 as STIP Project U-5976, the project addresses safety and operational concerns. In the summer of 2024, NCDOT hosted public meetings in Aberdeen, Pinehurst, and Carthage to share the proposed Continuous Flow Intersection concept. Over 800 people attended these meetings, and more than 600 comments were received, which significantly influenced the final design. Through these over 600 comments, NCDOT listened to the community and made several modifications.

The new plan preserves the character of the traffic circle while accommodating future traffic volumes projected to reach 80,000 vehicles per day by 2050 at an acceptable level of service. It significantly reduces right-of-way impacts and tree removal while enhancing efficiency, all at a lower cost.

“This design incorporates community input and balances historic preservation with future traffic demands,” stated Blakley.

Construction is expected to take place between the 2029 and 2035 U.S. Opens and will be coordinated with the widening of U.S. 15-501 (R-5927) north of the circle to minimize disruptions.

***NCDOT***

CPRPO News

Statewide ‘Operation Firecracker Booze It & Lose It’ Campaign in Effect Through July 6

​RALEIGH – Every year, the Fourth of July holiday ranks as one of the deadliest periods on the nation’s roads.

The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program launched its “Operation Firecracker Booze It & Lose It” campaign today to promote safe driving around the state. The annual campaign uses public outreach and law enforcement to discourage impaired driving by performing more checkpoints and patrols on the days leading up to and following the holiday.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holiday and celebrate but getting behind the wheel after drinking is never worth the risk,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “Last year, 11,782 crashes were reported statewide involving drivers who were under the influence of alcohol. This is unacceptable. Law enforcement officers from every county in the state will be working this campaign to catch impaired drivers.”

A total of 176 alcohol-related crashes and five fatalities occurred on North Carolina roads during the Fourth of July weekend in 2024, according to crash data from the N.C. Department of Transportation. The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign serves as a reminder that there are severe consequences for reckless behavior.

“Celebrating the Fourth of July responsibly could not be simpler,” said Michael Panzarella, the chief of police for Emerald Isle, which helped kick off this year’s campaign. “What’s not simple are the impacts of someone choosing to drink and then drive. Decide in advance how to get home safely. Too often we see impaired drivers injure themselves and others when they make the choice to drive under the influence.”

There are plenty of ways to arrive safely to a destination, including designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare service. It is always good to plan ahead and work toward making a safer environment and a more enjoyable holiday for everyone.

Please visit NCDOT’s website to learn more about the campaign and consequences of impaired driving.​

CPRPO News

NCDMV Warns of Fraudulent Text Scams

Urges caution of unsolicited or suspicious texts

ROCKY MOUNT – The N. C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) is alerting the public about a surge in fraudulent text message scams targeting residents. These scams falsely claim to request payment for fees, fines, or tolls and may appear to come from the NCDMV.

NCDMV does not and will never request payments via text message.

Citizens are urged to report any suspicious texts as spam and delete them immediately. Do not click on any links or provide personal information in response to these messages.
Protect yourself from scams:
  • Be cautious of unsolicited texts requesting payment or personal information.
  • Verify any NCDMV-related inquiries through official channels.
  • Report suspicious texts to your mobile carrier or the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint.

Learn more about how to identify phishing texts and scams at https://ncdoj.gov/internet-safety/phishing/.

***NCDOT***