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.
Passenger Ferry Progress
Though winter is still here for a few more weeks, it’s not too soon
to think about summer vacation plans, especially at the Outer Banks where it
will soon be faster to reach some areas on a new passenger ferry.
In efforts to lessen summertime congestion on the current Hatteras
to Ocracoke car ferry route, the department is working to get a new passenger
ferry up and running by mid-summer. Passengers will be able to make a
reservation and walk onto a ferry that will take them to Ocracoke Village in
just over an hour, bypassing waits on the vehicle ferries. Once on Ocracoke,
shuttle service will be available to take visitors around the Village.
Crews have broken ground on parking improvements and visitor
facilities while the ferry is estimated to be complete in late June.
Improved Litter Website
Those wanting to participate in the Adopt-A-Highway program now
have a user-friendly tool that shows routes available for cleanup in all 100
North Carolina counties.
NCDOT’s Roadside Environmental Unit has launched a new litter
management website that helps volunteers view their assigned routes, markets the
Sponsor-A-Highway program and makes it easier for groups to report the amount of
litter they collected.
People wanting to get involved can visit this website and see what
routes are available.
Summer Internships
Applications are being accepted for summer internships at the
department in majors such as communications, public administration, information
technology and engineering. These programs, which run from May through August,
allow students to learn about the work done at the department and gain valuable
exposure.
Those who are interested can visit this
site and search for internship. Applications are due by March 9.