RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in
NCDOT Now, the department's weekly newscast.
NCDOT Hosts Disadvantaged Business Outreach
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Highways, in partnership with its Office of Civil Rights, is encouraging disadvantaged business enterprises to compete for state transportation contracts.
Last weekend, NCDOT hosted in-person outreach events at seven of its 14 highway divisions across North Carolina.
Agency staff were on hand during the events to help small, minority- and women-owned firms learn about how they can do business with NCDOT. These opportunities include contracts for construction and maintenance, mowing, litter pickup, tree cutting, and snow and ice removal.
On June 26, NCDOT will host outreach events at its other seven highway divisions. To RSVP or learn more, visit
ncdot.gov/highwaysdbe.
Passenger Ferry Season Begins
The 2021 season for the Ocracoke Express Passenger Ferry has begun.
The Ocracoke Express shuttles passengers between the Hatteras Terminal and Ocracoke Village in about an hour. Residents and visitors wishing to catch a ride can now make reservations online at
ncferry.org or by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY.
In addition, riders who inquire at the terminal or make a reservation by phone can buy one ticket and get one free until the end of June.
The Ocracoke Express is a passenger-only ferry service. However, the state’s other coastal ferries carry people and vehicles. That includes a vehicle ferry that runs between Hatteras and the northern end of Ocracoke Island
July Fourth Booze It & Lose It Kickoff
In preparation for July Fourth, and a potential increase in drunk drivers on the road, the
Governor’s Highway Safety Program has kicked off its annual Booze It & Lose It campaign: Operation Firecracker.
The operation launched with an event on Thursday, honoring first responders across the state that keep us safe from those who drink and drive. From June 28 until July 4, law enforcement officers from all 100 counties will be increasing check points and saturation patrols to remove impaired drivers from the roads.
Motorists caught driving while impaired could face jail time, lose their driving privileges and pay fines.
For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at (919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on
NCDOT.gov.