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Audit Reveals NCDOT Improperly Spent $39M In Salary Raises
The NC Department of Transportation seems to be mired in further financial woes this week, according to a recent state audit. The audit report from State Auditor Beth Wood asserts that the DOT improperly calculated raise amounts intended to help the DOT retain key employees from departing the agency to the private sector. This news is just further troubling information…
NCDOT Announces Furloughs For All Employees
The NC Department of Transportation has announced the furloughing of all NCDOT employees across the state. This action is in response to the $300 million revenue loss that the DOT has experienced largely as a result of reduced highway fuel taxes. In an email sent to all employees, DOT Secretary Eric Boyette announced that the move would start effective immediately. …
Delays to Hampstead Bypass, R-3300
As a part of the financial mismanagement and implosion of the NCDOT, the DOT has announced the suspension of projects across the state of North Carolina. One such affected project, the Hampstead Bypass R-3300, has been underway for months now but the acquisition of right of way for the project has come to a screeching halt. As reported in a…
NC Department of Transportation Financial Implosion
The NC Department of Transportation remains paralyzed by a worsening financial situation in the department and state. At present, the DOT has postponed the majority of road construction projects across the state, except for those where construction contracts had already been entered in to and some design-build projects. Recent reports from the State Auditor’s office reveal that the NCDOT exceeded…
NCDOT Announces Layoffs, Project Delays
The NC Department of Transportation has announced layoffs of more than 300 temporary workers and consultants across the state, in response to the recent COVID-19 induced financial crisis. Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette and his department advise that the DOT told affected workers that Friday is their last day, and that more workers will be similarly affected in the coming weeks. …
NCDOT Cuts Future Construction Contracts by $2 Billion Due to COVID-19
The Triangle Business Journal reports that the NC Department of Transportation announced last week that future construction contracts will be reduced by approximately $2 billion for the coming fiscal year due to sharply reduced highway fuel tax revenues caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. In that meeting, NCDOT apparently advised that the number of currently budgeted construction projects will be reduced…
Impact of COVID-19 on Eminent Domain and Land Condemnation Cases
A little update about how the Coronavirus is affecting your eminent domain/condemnation case. All North Carolina courts are closed until further notice, except for emergency cases. Despite that, pleadings and other documents can still be filed. Mediations are still taking place via videoconferences. The NC Department of Transportation’s condemnation section is still functioning, while employees are encouraged to remain at…
R-2553- Kinston Bypass- Route Announced
The NC Department of Transportation continues work on the U.S. 70 corridor between Raleigh and Morehead City- which will ultimately become part of Interstate 42. Most recently, the DOT has made announcements regarding the Kinston section of the project- R-2553 Kinston Bypass. Public information indicates that the DOT has chosen the preferred route seen in Orange on the following map:…
NC Transportation Secretary to Step Down
At the end of February, North Carolina Transportation Secretary, Jim Trogdon, will retire, stepping away from the state government. Trogdon’s departure will be the first from the Gov. Roy Cooper’s cabinet in more than three years. Beginning his career as a highway engineer before becoming chief operating officer, Trogdon worked at the DOT from 1985 to 2013. He additionally served…
NCDOT Finances Have Stabilized, Projects to Resume
After months of cutting back on everything from fixing roadways and bridges to mowing grass, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has now stabilized its finances. In fact, according to Bobby Lewis, NCDOT’s chief operating officer, the department has been able to resume its engineering work on approximately 220 projects, with another 240 expected to begin again by the…