The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded North Carolina $10.7 million in Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) grants, which the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) plans to use funding to renovate or replace 28 bridges in six northwest counties.
“Improving these bridges will increase safety, help connect our communities during emergencies, help move goods and services in our rural areas and improve the overall quality of life,” Michael Poe, NCDOT Division 11 engineer, said. “We are thankful for the funding and look forward to putting every penny to good use here in northwestern North Carolina.”
NCDOT Division 11 encompasses Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Watauga, and Wilkes counties.
All but two of the bridges are low-water bridges with low elevation structures close to rivers or streams that are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall. NCDOT plans to renovate existing bridges or design new bridges that are sturdier and capable of handling more weight than their predecessors, higher from the ground, and less susceptible to overwash during storms.
Other agencies will be bringing fiber lines to rural areas. These improvements are expected will boost economic development and create jobs in the northwestern portion of the state.
A total of 166 projects nationwide received $2.2 billion in RAISE grants.