Motorists can expect to see an increase in work zones on interstates across North Carolina this summer and fall.

The changes will be paid for by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles, or GARVEE bonds, which will fund 36 interstate improvement projects that are either under construction now or will be over the next few months.

Here are the fast facts:

• NCDOT received $838 million from ARRA.
  
• Of these funds, $735 million is designated for highway and bridge projects, with $103 million for transit projects.
  
• GARVEE bonds are a financing tool that allow the department to borrow against future federal funding, which helps avoid increased costs due to delays and inflation.

Last week, NCDOT sold $242.5 million in GARVEE bonds - the second in a series that will total about $1 billion. The program will enable the department to accelerate the completion of about 49 projects by more than three years and save taxpayers more than $209 million in inflation costs.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 million spent on transportation creates 30 jobs, and according to the construction industry, every dollar invested in transportation generates $6 in economic impact.

Most of the work on the interstates will be restricted to nighttime lane closures, with occasional daytime lane closures, to minimize the impact to motorists.

Information on individual projects is posted on the department's Web site at http://www.ncdot.gov as contracts are awarded and construction begins.

See the link below for a map of interstate projects currently under construction or that will begin construction.

NCDOT offers the following driving tips during the summer months:

• Leave early to get a head start on your drive and travel at non-peak times;
• Stay alert. Even though workers may not always be present in work zones, drivers may encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts;
• Be patient and obey the posted speed limit. The penalty for speeding through a marked work zone is $250;
• Use alternate routes, when possible, to avoid traffic congestion; and
• Call 511, the department's free travel information line, or visit www.ncdot.gov/traffictravel for real-time travel information.

Related Links

1. A Map of Stimulus Construction Projects
2. NC DOT
3. More Information About Road Stimulus Projects
4. Check real-time traffic