New NCDOT tool gives public 3D view of transportation project

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) unveiled a new online tool to the public, offering people in Kinston a 3D view of a future transportation project. 

Officials with NCDOT's Public Involvement unit and Highway Division 2 demonstrated the 3D virtual room for the future Kinston Bypass during a meeting of the I-42/U.S. 70 Corridor Commission in New Bern. 

“This is exciting new technology that will allow citizens to have public involvement experience on their own schedule," said Jeff Cabaniss, Division 2 engineer, NCDOT. 

The commission, which advocates for improvements along the U.S. 70 corridor east of Raleigh, includes elected and public officials from Carteret, Craven, Johnston, Lenoir and Wayne Counties. 

On the website, visitors can navigate through a 3D room, which looks like a typical NCDOT public meeting. Within the virtual room, visitors can look through the large map of the proposed project. They can also see an overview video of the future bypass; 30-second videos at each interchange; and maps of each section of the project.   

“It's cutting edge," said NCDOT Senior Public Involvement Officer Diane Wilson. “It will help the public understand what we are planning and how it could impact them." 

Heather Lane, NCDOT's project manager for the bypass, said the interactive tool would enable people to focus on specific areas of the project that interest them.   

NCDOT says it plans to use the same 3D tool for future projects.