RALEIGH – A pair of flood-prone locations in North Carolina will benefit from federal funding aimed at improving transportation resiliency, thanks to two grants the U.S. Department of Transportation
recently announced as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
USDOT awarded the N.C. Department of Transportation more than $1.8 million to reinforce the shoulder and embankments where U.S. 74 crosses the Lumber River near the Columbus County town of Boardman. The improvements are necessary to reduce the potential for roadway deterioration and bridge approach damage from flooding from heavy storms. U.S. 74 is also a major east-west evacuation route connecting Wilmington and Charlotte, making it essential to communities in need of emergency and community services during extreme weather events.
NCDOT will receive another $1.8 million grant to study the 11-mile stretch of N.C. 12 between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe on Pea Island. The project will identify future construction projects, streamline environmental reviews, include public engagement and establish detailed, long-term plans for keeping the roadway passable during and following major storm events.
These projects are among 80 nationwide that are set to receive nearly $830 million in discretionary grants through the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant program. The program provides funding for projects focused on surface transportation resilience to natural hazards and disasters, supporting planning activities, resilience improvements and evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure.