Chapel Hill Police Department and the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Public Safety will kick off the Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
The Town of Chapel Hill is considering a proposed ordinance to ban talking on hand-held cellphones and hands-free cellphones—or both—while driving on town streets. In conjunction with the proposed ordinance, the council asked that a program be developed to educate the public about the dangers of driving while talking or texting on cell phones. A public hearing on the proposed ordinance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, in the Council Chamber of Chapel Hill Town Hall.
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger, inexperienced drivers younger than 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver's reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.
Studies show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in inattention blindness, which occurs when the brain isn't seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers' focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road.
There are simple measures drivers can take to minimize distractions in the vehicle:
• Turn off phone or put it out of reach before starting the car.
• Alert callers of inability to take calls when driving by changing voicemail message.
• Make it a point not to call or text anyone who may be driving, such as during the commute to and from work or school, especially parents calling teen drivers.
• If there is a need to make an important call or respond to a text message, pull over to a safe place to do so.
For more information about the Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign, contact Catherine Lazorko, public information officer for the Town of Chapel Hill, at (919) 969-5055 or clazorko@townofchapelhill.org.
See what ended up on The News of Orange County's cutting room floor.
Showing posts with label roads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label roads. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
NCDOT awards $2.9 million contract to resurface roads in Orange County
The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a contract to resurface nearly eight miles of roadway in Orange County.
The $2.9 million contract was awarded to Rea Contracting, a division of Lane Construction Corp. of Charlotte. Work can begin as early as April 2 and is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 10.
The following roadways will be resurfaced:
• .83 miles of U.S. 15/501 from just east of Erwin Road to the Durham County line;
• 1.6 miles of N.C. 86/Martin Luther King Boulevard from Estes Drive to Franklin Street;
• .47 miles of S. Greensboro Street from Main Street to Rand Street;
• 1.5 miles of N. Greensboro Street/Hillsborough Road from Lorraine Street to Main Street;
• 1.5 miles of Seawell School Road from High School Road to Estes Drive;
• .8 miles of Seawell School Road/High School Road near Homestead Road; and
• 1.2 miles of Orange High School Road from the U.S. 70 Bypass to Miller Road.
Resurfacing these sections of roadway will extend the lifespan of the pavement, improve safety and provide a smoother ride for motorists.
This is one of 31 contracts totaling $85.5 million awarded by Conti for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 7.5 percent, or about $7 million, below NCDOT estimates. Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office in January of 2009, NCDOT has awarded 472 highway contracts totaling $3.6 billion to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to jobs and educational opportunities.
For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.
The $2.9 million contract was awarded to Rea Contracting, a division of Lane Construction Corp. of Charlotte. Work can begin as early as April 2 and is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 10.
The following roadways will be resurfaced:
• .83 miles of U.S. 15/501 from just east of Erwin Road to the Durham County line;
• 1.6 miles of N.C. 86/Martin Luther King Boulevard from Estes Drive to Franklin Street;
• .47 miles of S. Greensboro Street from Main Street to Rand Street;
• 1.5 miles of N. Greensboro Street/Hillsborough Road from Lorraine Street to Main Street;
• 1.5 miles of Seawell School Road from High School Road to Estes Drive;
• .8 miles of Seawell School Road/High School Road near Homestead Road; and
• 1.2 miles of Orange High School Road from the U.S. 70 Bypass to Miller Road.
Resurfacing these sections of roadway will extend the lifespan of the pavement, improve safety and provide a smoother ride for motorists.
This is one of 31 contracts totaling $85.5 million awarded by Conti for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 7.5 percent, or about $7 million, below NCDOT estimates. Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office in January of 2009, NCDOT has awarded 472 highway contracts totaling $3.6 billion to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to jobs and educational opportunities.
For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
NCDOT to host public meetings for proposed improvements to I-95
The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a series of public meetings from Tuesday, Feb. 7, through Monday, Feb. 27, in communities along the I-95 corridor to provide information on the proposed plans to improve the interstate through North Carolina.
The informal meetings will take place in Lumberton, Weldon, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Wilson, Dunn and Fayetteville. Interested citizens may drop by anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. to view project information, maps and the I-95 Corridor Planning and Finance Study Environmental Assessment. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions about the project. The opportunity to submit written comments or questions will also be provided.
NCDOT has received final approval from the Federal Highway Administration on the Environmental Assessment of the I-95 Corridor Planning and Finance Study. The study began in 2009 and focuses on improving the safety, connectivity and efficiency of all 182 miles of I-95 through North Carolina.
For a complete list of meeting dates and locations, as well as locations where the Environmental Assessment can be viewed, go to www.driving95.com. Locations to view the assessment are also available by calling 1-877-I95-VIEW.
For more information on the meetings, contact NCDOT Project Development Engineer Kristine O’Connor at (919) 707-6034 or via email at kaoconnor@ncdot.gov. Residents unable to attend a meeting may also submit comments to O’Connor via email or online. Comments may also be mailed (reference I-95 Corridor Planning and Finance Study) to:
Kristine O’Connor
NCDOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1548
Comments will be accepted through March 27.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in these meetings. Anyone requiring special services should contact O’Connor as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made.
The informal meetings will take place in Lumberton, Weldon, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Wilson, Dunn and Fayetteville. Interested citizens may drop by anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. to view project information, maps and the I-95 Corridor Planning and Finance Study Environmental Assessment. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions about the project. The opportunity to submit written comments or questions will also be provided.
NCDOT has received final approval from the Federal Highway Administration on the Environmental Assessment of the I-95 Corridor Planning and Finance Study. The study began in 2009 and focuses on improving the safety, connectivity and efficiency of all 182 miles of I-95 through North Carolina.
For a complete list of meeting dates and locations, as well as locations where the Environmental Assessment can be viewed, go to www.driving95.com. Locations to view the assessment are also available by calling 1-877-I95-VIEW.
For more information on the meetings, contact NCDOT Project Development Engineer Kristine O’Connor at (919) 707-6034 or via email at kaoconnor@ncdot.gov. Residents unable to attend a meeting may also submit comments to O’Connor via email or online. Comments may also be mailed (reference I-95 Corridor Planning and Finance Study) to:
Kristine O’Connor
NCDOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1548
Comments will be accepted through March 27.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in these meetings. Anyone requiring special services should contact O’Connor as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
New traffic signal at East Drive and Mason Farm Road
A new traffic signal is scheduled to be installed at the intersection of East Drive and Mason Farm Road in Chapel Hill. The work will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Wednesday, Feb. 1 and is expected to be completed by Friday, Feb. 3. Motorists should expect delays.
Interstate 40 West closed at exit 20 in North Carolina near Tennessee border due to rockslide in Tennessee
Due to a rockslide in Cocke County, Tenn., Interstate 40 West is currently closed at exit 20 (U.S. 276) in North Carolina. The rockslide occurred near Mile Marker 451 in Tennessee, approximately 1 mile from the border.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has awarded an emergency contract to remove debris and unstable rock from I-40 West near the North Carolina border.
Phillips and Jordan, Inc. of Knoxville, Tenn. was awarded the $59,350 contract. The contractor will began work at the rockslide site Thursday, Feb. 2 . Weather permitting, TDOT anticipates reopening the interstate by Monday, Feb. 6.
The N.C. Department of Transportation reminds motorists that Western North Carolina destinations such as Asheville, Cherokee, Waynesville, Maggie Valley and North Carolina sections of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are still accessible via I-40 West without taking a detour. Only interstate travel into Tennessee is affected by the closure of I-40 West near the state line.
The primary detour route for all vehicles is I-240 West in Asheville to I-26 West to I-81 South in Tennessee back to I-40. In addition to the primary signed detour route for all vehicles, non-commercial vehicles can also bypass the I-40 West closure by following U.S. 74 West (via Exit 27) or U.S. 19 South (via Exit 20/U.S. 276 South) to U.S. 441 North, which travels through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Tennessee and connects back with I-40.
Motorists are advised to expect increased traffic in Asheville. Message boards with traffic and detour information will be activated.
Updated information is available through the Tennessee Department of Transportation website and on the TDOT SmartWay travel information map.
NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.
For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel or follow NCDOT on Twitter. Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website. To access it, type “m.ncdot.gov” into the browser of your smartphone. Then, bookmark it to save for future reference. NCDOT Mobile is compatible with the iPhone, Android and some newer Blackberry phones.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has awarded an emergency contract to remove debris and unstable rock from I-40 West near the North Carolina border.
Phillips and Jordan, Inc. of Knoxville, Tenn. was awarded the $59,350 contract. The contractor will began work at the rockslide site Thursday, Feb. 2 . Weather permitting, TDOT anticipates reopening the interstate by Monday, Feb. 6.
The N.C. Department of Transportation reminds motorists that Western North Carolina destinations such as Asheville, Cherokee, Waynesville, Maggie Valley and North Carolina sections of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are still accessible via I-40 West without taking a detour. Only interstate travel into Tennessee is affected by the closure of I-40 West near the state line.
The primary detour route for all vehicles is I-240 West in Asheville to I-26 West to I-81 South in Tennessee back to I-40. In addition to the primary signed detour route for all vehicles, non-commercial vehicles can also bypass the I-40 West closure by following U.S. 74 West (via Exit 27) or U.S. 19 South (via Exit 20/U.S. 276 South) to U.S. 441 North, which travels through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into Tennessee and connects back with I-40.
Motorists are advised to expect increased traffic in Asheville. Message boards with traffic and detour information will be activated.
Updated information is available through the Tennessee Department of Transportation website and on the TDOT SmartWay travel information map.
NCDOT reminds motorists to watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.
For real-time travel information at any time, call 511, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel or follow NCDOT on Twitter. Another option is NCDOT Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the NCDOT website. To access it, type “m.ncdot.gov” into the browser of your smartphone. Then, bookmark it to save for future reference. NCDOT Mobile is compatible with the iPhone, Android and some newer Blackberry phones.
Monday, January 9, 2012
NCDOT awards $3 million contract to widen and pave roads in Orange County
N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Gene Conti has awarded a contract for widening and paving nearly 14 miles of roadway in Orange County.
The $3 million contract was awarded to Barrett, Irvin and Jordan Contractors of Durham. Work can begin as early as March 5, 2012, and is scheduled for completion by Aug. 17, 2012.
Sections of three roadways will be widened two feet on either side to improve safety. After the widening work is complete, the roads will be resurfaced. The following roadways are included in the project:
• A 5-mile section of Old Greensboro Road from the Alamance County line to Carl Durham Road;
• A 1.8-mile section of Smith Level Road from Woodcrest Drive to U.S. 15-501; and
• A 6.8-mile section of Dairyland Road from Orange Grove Road to Old N.C. 86.
This is one of 13 contracts totaling $35.3 million awarded by Conti for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 6.1 percent, or about $2.3 million, below NCDOT estimates. Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office in January 2009, NCDOT has awarded 440 highway contracts totaling $3.4 billion to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to jobs and educational opportunities.
For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.
The $3 million contract was awarded to Barrett, Irvin and Jordan Contractors of Durham. Work can begin as early as March 5, 2012, and is scheduled for completion by Aug. 17, 2012.
Sections of three roadways will be widened two feet on either side to improve safety. After the widening work is complete, the roads will be resurfaced. The following roadways are included in the project:
• A 5-mile section of Old Greensboro Road from the Alamance County line to Carl Durham Road;
• A 1.8-mile section of Smith Level Road from Woodcrest Drive to U.S. 15-501; and
• A 6.8-mile section of Dairyland Road from Orange Grove Road to Old N.C. 86.
This is one of 13 contracts totaling $35.3 million awarded by Conti for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 6.1 percent, or about $2.3 million, below NCDOT estimates. Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office in January 2009, NCDOT has awarded 440 highway contracts totaling $3.4 billion to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to jobs and educational opportunities.
For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.
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