03/28/2024
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RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in NCDOT Now, the department’s weekly newscast.

Bonner Bridge Testing at NC State

The Bonner Bridge stood on the Outer Banks for more than 50 years, but researchers at NC State are using pieces of the old bridge to help

engineers make better bridges in the future. 

Girders from the now-demolished bridge were sent to Raleigh to undergo testing at NC State’s Constructed Facilities Lab. 

There, they are put under two types of stress-tests. The first is to see where weaknesses would develop in the girder under continued regular use. The second puts the girders under extreme stress until it breaks.

Engineers say being able to do these tests on a girder that’s been out in the elements for half a century will teach them a lot. 

“What we’re trying to really investigate is the amount of prestressing in this structure,” said Dr. Giorgio Proestos, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University. “Is it enough, should there be more, should there be less, and how does that prestressing change in 60 years? Based on the results of the experiment, there might be changes in the way things are done moving forward.” 

Fall Litter Sweep Begins

NCDOT crews, contractors and volunteers have removed more than 9 million pounds of litter this year, but the next big push is just around the corner.

Running from Sept. 11-25, the Fall Litter Sweep sees volunteers across North Carolina band together to help remove litter from roadsides. NCDOT crews and contractors are also out in force during the sweep.

Volunteers can contact their local maintenance offices during the sweep to receive gloves, vests and trash bags to aid in their cleanup. Once their cleanup is finished, volunteers can then contact their maintenance office to swing by and pick up the filled trash bags.

To sign up, visit ncdot.gov/littersweep.

And everyone can do their part to curb litter today by always:

  • Holding on to trash until it can be disposed of properly
  • Securing your vehicle’s load before driving

For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT

Communications Office at (919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on NCDOT.gov.

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