Blog
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…
New Project to Begin on U.S. 74
Major construction projects organized by the N.C. Department of Transportation and other state agencies can prove extremely frustrating for North Carolina residents whose properties will be affected by land condemnation. The issues of land condemnation or seizure under eminent domain can be confusing. Despite the government’s limitation to take property without just compensation, there is limited law concerning how property…
NCDOT Secretary Fires Back at Critics Amid Budget Crisis
In the ever-continuing saga of the NC Department of Transportation financial crisis, Department Secretary James Trogdon fires back at the State Treasurer and other critics in his November 4 letter to the NC Legislature. In this letter, Secretary Trogdon highlights the challenges facing the state when he assumed his position and discusses the work undertaken by his office in light…
Henson Fuerst Hosting Free Public Seminar on Project U-3609B
On Tuesday, November 12, 2019, the eminent domain and land condemnation lawyers at Henson Fuerst will be hosting a FREE seminar to discuss Project U-3609B, the U.S. 13 road widening from New Hope Road to north of Saulston Road in Goldsboro. The seminar will be held at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Goldsboro, NC (1003 Sunburst Drive) from…
State Treasurer Calls DOT Spending Excessive, Blames Transportation Chief
The political finger-pointing is heating up in the current NC Department of Transportation fiscal crisis, as State Treasurer Folwell and Governor Cooper trade barbs at one another regarding who is to blame for the current situation. Legislators have been considering a $660 million dollar legislative bailout for the DOT budget, though we suspect it may take a while to reach…
Continuous Flow Intersection Opened in Charlotte
The North Carolina Department of Transportation opened its first “continuous flow” intersection in Charlotte last week. This new design is intended to improve traffic flow and increase the efficiency of intersections by separating left turn traffic from the primary flow lanes. They are also referred to as a ‘displaced left-turn intersection’. The first such intersection is located NC 16 and…
NCDOT’s Cash Reserves Dwindle
The NC Department of Transportation budget crisis continues to drag on leading many landowners and legislators wondering what is going on. At last report, the cash reserves at the DOT have shrunk to $432 million. In comparison, over the past decade, the department has maintained an average cash reserve balance of approximately $1.2 billion. And there are no immediate signs…