2024 TS helene - emergency repairs to portions of NC 80 in mcdowell county

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded $3.8 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on November 26, 2025, under the Emergency Relief (ER) Program (CFDA 20.271) to fund emergency repairs to NC Highway 80 in McDowell County. The award addresses damage sustained from Tropical Storm Helene and supports restoration of essential traffic flow along the federal-aid highway corridor between mile markers 2.2 and 6.5. Repairs include reconstruction of subgrade, roadbed bases, and shoulders; repair or reconstruction of pipes and culverts; slope stabilization and reconstruction; asphalt pavement and marking repairs; guardrail and signage reconstruction; and permanent stabilization measures. The project carries an ultimate completion date of October 1, 2034.

This award represents part of the broader post-Helene disaster recovery response through the ER Program, which provides federal funds to repair highways and roads damaged by natural disasters. States must submit applications within two years of the disaster date and identify all eligible project sites and associated repair costs. The permanent authorization of $100 million annually from the Highway Trust Fund supports these critical infrastructure repairs across affected regions, with NCDOT receiving tens of millions in ER Program funding across 2025 and 2026 for permanent repairs to multiple damaged federal-aid routes throughout North Carolina.

Project description

Emergency repairs undertaken at various locations along NC 80 in mcdowell county (division 13) to restore essential traffic, to minimize the extent of damage, and/or to protect the remaining facilities along this federal-aid highway route: - NC 80 between MM 2.2 and 6.5. Scope of work includes the work needed to repair/reconstruct existing subgrade, roadbed bases, and shoulders; repair/reconstruct pipe/culverts; repair/stabilize/reconstruct slopes; repair/reconstruct asphalt pavements and markings; repair/reconstruct guardrails; repair/reconstruct signage; and the RE-establishment of permanent stabilization.