Lincoln Tribune

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The Greatest Show on Dirt Returns to The Dirt Track this May for the Circle K NOS Energy Outlaw Showdown Posted: 06 Feb 2015 06:17 AM PST The action will move from the superspeedway of Charlotte to the other side of the highway at The Dirt Track on May 22 for the annual Circle K NOS Energy Outlaw Showdown. The stars of the World of Outlaw Sprint Car series will take to the four-tenths mile clay oval during Charlotte Motor Speedway's 10-Days of Thunder event. The event is held in between the NASCAR Sprint All Star Race on May 16 and the Coca Cola 600 on May 24. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Fortify Friday: The Latest Information on the I-40/440 Project Posted: 06 Feb 2015 04:58 AM PST   Raleigh— Every day (and night) in the Fortify construction zone, a band of inspectors goes over with a fine tooth comb the work of the pipe layers, the bridge builders, the concrete excavators and the asphalt layers.  There are many other contractors who work day and night to rebuild this stretch of roadway, and NCDOT inspectors are there to make sure the work is done safely and correctly. Jack Pedro is Fortify's lead project inspector. He oversees all of the inspectors and acts as a liaison between the contractor, Granite Construction, and the department.  One question Jack continually puts to rest is how can NCDOT be sure this rebuild project won't repeat the chemical process made decades ago that is forcing today's reconstruction? The answer is simple, he says.  Granite construction is using asphalt, not concrete.   "The chemical reaction that caused today's unsafe roadway was caused by water leaking through the road and interacting with materials underneath in the concrete that caused the surface to crumble."  Jack said. "This time, concrete is not being used." According to Jack, the biggest challenge with this project is not in the materials or the actual road reconstruction, but managing Fortify's traveling public. More than 100,000 motorists drive through this stretch of highway every day and if not navigated correctly, each delay or lane closure could cause miles of backup. That's why NCDOT's goal is to get 30,000 cars off of the road during the heavy  morning and afternoon commute.  Eventually, we must reduce travel to three lanes on eight miles of I-40 East and West in order to effectively rebuild the roadway. "With that many vehicles driving through this narrowed highway," Jack said, "it doesn't take a mathematician to predict the outcome." Carpooling will help.   So will vanpooling or taking the bus.  (For information on car/vanpooling or using public transit, visit www.triangletransit.orgjan2015.) Another option to avoid Fortify congestion is by utilizing flex or alternate work schedules, if your company or agency allows. If everyone works together, NCDOT can complete the I-40/440 Rebuild Project safely and on schedule (late 2016) while getting everyone to their destination on time. Project Update:  Construction work for Fortify continues to cruise along.  On I-440 East, crews continue the paving process with the goal of opening its three-lane pattern in March.  Drivers will get a sneak preview of what their ride will be like as early as next week.  Although traffic will still be in a two-lane pattern, an adjustment in the ramp lane alignment coming off of Poole Road will put motorists on the new roadway surface already in place in that area. Work also gears up along eastbound I-40, especially between U.S. 1 and the Gorman Street exit.  Crews are getting closer to being able to pave the outside shoulder to get it ready for use as a travel lane in the Spring.   Progress continues at the Hammond Road exit, which will switch back to its original ramp alignment next month.  Bridge work is ongoing at Garner Road, Gorman Street and for the Norfolk Rail line.   Similar efforts are under way on westbound I-40, where shoulder preparation work is under way east of the I-440/U.S. 1/64 exit. Click this image to view at original resolution   This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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