| The North Carolina Department of Transportation has a plan the next time a hurricane threatens the southeastern coastal area of North Carolina. What will they do? Why, they’ll throw a parade, of course. Instead of clowns, marching bands, and Shriners in go-carts, this parade will feature orange-vested DOT workers and over 30 vehicles hauling trailers full of barricades, variable message signs, cones and barrels to facilitate the Interstate 40 Lane Reversal Plan. | |||
| | |||
 |
This plan, developed jointly by the NC departments of Transportation and Crime Control
& Public Safety, would reverse the eastbound lanes of I-40 to help move citizens safely
and efficiently out of harm’s way during large-scale evacuations. The reversal would be considered
only when the coast of North Carolina is threatened by a major hurricane and mandatory evacuations
are issued. In addition to the strength of the storm, other factors to be considered in the decision
include projected landfall and the population remaining at the time the mandatory evacuation is ordered.
| ||
| | |||
| On July 15th, 2003, Division Three held an I-40 Reversal Parade to ensure that the plan would operate smoothly. Under dark clouds reminiscent of an approaching hurricane, the quarter-mile long parade formed up in front of the Traffic Services facility in New Hanover County. For more than in the summer heat the participants reviewed the plan, inspected their inventory, and made certain that everyone knew their area of responsibility. Although everyone present hoped they would never have to implement the plan, they all knew they were ready. |  | ||
| | |||
 |
A decision to reverse I-40 would be made jointly by the secretaries of Transportation and Crime Control & Public Safety, in consultation with the Governor. The reversal would begin in Wilmington, just before the Gordon Road exit (Exit 420), and would end at a newly constructed median crossover at milepost 331 in Division 4. At this point all traffic will return to the two westbound lanes prior to intersecting with I-95. All eastbound access ramps between Wilmington and I-95 would be closed by DOT personnel and manned by law enforcement officers and an EMT vehicle. Motorists would still be able to reach Wilmington via alternate routes such as US 421 and US 117. | ||
| | |||
For more information on hurricane preparedness and evacuation safety, contact the N.C. Emergency Management Division at www.ncem.org, or call your county’s Emergency Management Office. | |||
Telephone Directory 
Division 3 HomepageThis site maintained by Kim Butts. Last updated Thursday, November 10, 2011