Yadkin Valley News

The North Carolina Department of Transportation recognized communities that developed outstanding multimodal transportation projects during its Mobi Awards on Aug. 5.

The NCDOT Mobi Awards recognize transportation projects in the state that both enhanced and improved the economy. This year had winners in four categories: rural, urban, tourism and innovation. This is the second year of the awards. 

“Whether we’re building bike and walking paths, making it more convenient for people to use public transportation or finding new ways to safely accommodate travelers on our highways, multimodal projects are an important piece of our transportation present and future,” Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette said in a news release about the awards. “And it’s why we’re here today — to celebrate your commitment to multimodal investments and the important role they play in our way of life.”

The rural winner was Granite City Greenway in Surry County, the Transportation Department said in the news release. The two honorable mentions were REACH Transit in Shelby and the Surf City Topsail Island Bridge Connector. 

The Craven Street Transportation Improvements in the Asheville area won the urban award, with the GoRaleigh Transit Service Expansion and University Pointe Boulevard winning the two honorable mentions, the Transportation Department said in the release. 

The tourism winner went to the Albert J. Ellis Redevelopment Project in Onslow County, the Transportation Department said in the release. The Thermal Belt Rail Trail and the 1st Avenue Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements received the honorable mentions. 

The innovation winner went to REACH Transit in Shelby, the Transportation Department said in the release. The two honorable mentions were given to the Craven Street Transportation Improvements in the Asheville area and the Albert J. Ellis Redevelopment Project in Onslow County.