Category 6- Highway Related Projects I-26 Welcome Center : (K-3304) Merit Award Winner Located in the Appalachian Mountains of Madison County, the I-26 Welcome Center gives visitors a beautiful glimpse of North Carolina. Built on top of a massive waste disposal site that contains over 4 million cubic yards of material from the grading of I-26, the Welcome Center includes a scenic overlook, native mountain vegetation and separate parking for trucks and personal cars. Engineers used recycled materials throughout the Welcome Center site to construct the picnic areas, railings, signs and the scenic overlook. Constructed in the mold of a rustic Appalachian home, the Welcome Center has a stone exterior and an interior filled with local furniture. The scenic overlook provides spectacular views of the Black Mountains, Mount Mitchell and the surrounding area, and an interpretive sign helps viewers locate particular mountains. Engineers placed large boulders from the grading project around the rest area for aesthetic purposes, while native vegetation further enhances the natural beauty of the area. Display cases inside the Welcome Center hold examples of local Appalachian crafts and items from the construction of the rest area. The I-26 Welcome Center provides a place for travelers to stop, rest and learn about the beauty of North Carolina. (click to enlarge)

Category 6- Highway Related Projects American Tobacco Trail: (E-2921) The American Tobacco Trail provides a bicycle and pedestrian transportation alternative for travelers in Durham, NC. The eight-mile long trail runs along abandoned rail line as it connects Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the American Tobacco Re-Development Project to various residential and commercial areas to the South. Travelers may use the trail to bypass busy roads or just to exercise. The project contains a number of special features. These include: 1) a paved trail that is 10 feet wide and has 2-foot wide crushed stone shoulders on each side to better accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians; 2) four former train trestles that were converted into bridges and span a total of 800 feet; 3) several long cut and fill sections that include specially-designed guard rail; 4) high-visibility markings and trail. NCDOT plans to construct additional sections of the trail, and the trail will eventually run for 23.5 miles as it spans three counties. The American Tobacco Trail is just the start of a trail system that offers a convenient and healthy mode of transportation for North Carolina travelers. (click to enlarge)

Category 6 - Highway Related Projects Roanoke Island Visitor's Center: (K-4000) Before reaching the Outer Banks of North Carolina, motorists may stop at the Roanoke Island Visitor's Center on U.S. 64/264. Originally, the site existed only as a dredged material disposal site, but engineers have utilized the property to provide a convenient location for travelers to stop, rest and learn about the coast of North Carolina. Inside the rest area, visitors can learn about the history and environment of the Outer Banks. NCDOT worked around an existing family cemetery, and engineers added plantings and a memorial marker in order to honor the cemetery as part of the Visitor's Center. The Roanoke Island Visitor's Center provides a safe and enjoyable place for motorists to experience the Outer Banks of North Carolina while traveling. (click to enlarge)     Back to Biennial Awards Homepage