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Traffic Alert: NC 242 near Kelly Road closed until October

Traffic Alert: NC 242 near Kelly Road closed until October

BLADENBORO, NC (WECT) – According to the DOT website, NC Highway 242 near Kelly Road is closed to drivers for the next six months.

The closure is necessary so crews can replace a bridge located on NC 242.

A singed detour is in place for drivers using Kelly Road between NC 242 and NC 410.

The project is expected to be completed in October.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

Is Hwy 74/76 becoming an interstate?

Several changes are happening on Highway 74/76 in Columbus County.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Several changes are happening on Highway 74/76 in Columbus County.

Lanes are being resurfaced and widened, a guardrail has been added to parts of the median, a couple of interchanges were recently built, an electronic sign was just recently installed, and DOT officials say, in a few weeks they're installing a camera which will allow people to go online and view traffic.

The changes have many people wondering if officials are getting the highway ready to become an interstate. Some business owners are even relocating their businesses closer to the highway in case it does become an interstate.

But according to Drew Cox, the DOT district engineer for Columbus and Bladen Counties, there is no funding to turn 74/76 into an interstate.

Cox said normally when a project gets funding it takes 10 years for construction to start. According to Cox, they're making improvements on Highway 74/76 for safety reasons.

'Click it or Ticket' campaign celebrates 20 years

'Click it or Ticket' campaign celebrates 20 years

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Monday, May 20th marks the 20th anniversary of North Carolina DOT “Click or Ticket” campaign.

According to the press release, North Carolina was the first state to launch this safety program in 1993.

The release also states, The Click it or Ticket campaign runs through Memorial Day weekend and ends on June 2nd.  During this time officers will cite driver’s state wide who do not buckle up.  

To learn more information about this campaign visit this link or visit  their website at, http://www.ncdot.gov/.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

Two bridges in Bladen County will be replaced in May

Two bridges in Bladen County will be replaced in May

TAR HEEL, NC  (WECT) - Work will begin in May for two bridges In Bladen County on Tar Heel Ferry Road crossing over the Cape Fear River.  

According to the press release, these bridges will be replaced under an $11.8 million contract the NCDOT awarded in March to Carolina Bridge Co. Inc. of Orangeburg, S.C.

'Operation Slow Down' yields more than 13,500 citations in NC

'Operation Slow Down' yields more than 13,500 citations in NC

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – More than 13,500 drivers across North Carolina were recently cited for speeding during the Highway Patrol’s Operation Slow Down campaign. The campaign was done in combination with the Governor’s Highway Safety Program No Need to Speed effort.

According to officials, speeding is the leading cause of traffic accidents and fatalities throughout the state and across the country.

Highway Patrol investigated 1,801 fatal accidents in North Carolina in 2012. Of those, 245 deaths were contributed to speed, compared to 244 in 2011, according to the NC Highway Patrol.

Despite the end of the Operation Slow Down campaign, troopers will continue to aggressively enforce the speed limits in North Carolina.

“Our number one priority is to ensure the safety of the motoring public,” said Bill Grey, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Suggs-Taylor Road closed for the next month

TRAFFIC ALERT: Suggs-Taylor Road closed for the next month

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC (WECT) - The North Carolina DOT is shutting down Suggs-Taylor Road near Owen Hill Road for the next month. The reason for this closure is so crews can replace crossline pipes along the road.

Be sure to pack your patience, the road is expected to re-open Monday April, 29.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Guyton Road closed for the next three weeks

TRAFFIC ALERT: Guyton Road closed for the next three weeks

BLANDENBORO, NC (WECT) - The North Carolina DOT is closing Guyton Road heading east near NC 410 in Bladenboro. 

The reason for this closure is so crews can replace crossline pipe along the road. There are no signed no detours, so be sure to plan an alternative route for the next three weeks.

Guyton road is expected to re-open Monday, March, 25.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.