Congratulations to NCDOT's 2026 Innovation Challenge Winners!
The 2026 theme, Every Dollar Counts, was crafted by Division 14 Resident Engineer, Kenny McCourt! Thank you Kenny! Whether in the field or the office, participants helped identify operational savings ideas that could improve efficiency, reduce waste, and leverage existing NCDOT resources.
Thank you to all who participated in the 2026 Innovation Challenge! Meet our 2026 Innovation Challenge Winners, Andrew Ashe and Daniel Ross!
Andrew Ashe, Division 14
Division 14 replaced traditional vinyl-cut sign making with a Roland VG3 540 printer/cutter. This allowed full‑color, single‑layer sign printing, reducing labor, material costs, and storage needs. Their process increases durability with protective lamination and expands capabilities to banners and plaques. Other divisions have begun adopting the tool, citing major efficiency and cost savings.
Daniel Ross, Division 14
Division 14 suggests installing short concrete gutter sections with baffles in soil ditches to trap debris before it enters pipes and improve maintenance efficiency on gravel-road drainage. Material settles in a trough that can be cleaned out with equipment, reducing costly pipe cleanouts, minimizing environmental impact, and extending pipe life.
NCDOT's 2025 Innovation Challenge Winners
NCDOT’s CLEAR Innovation team has announced the 2025 Innovation Challenge winners! The 2025 Innovation Challenge focused on breaking barriers with project delivery. Innovators were asked to identify process improvements from concept through maintenance that supported efficient project delivery, cost-effective solutions, and value-driven outcomes.
Chris Coughlin (State Relocation Director), Tracey Jackson (Carolina Land Acquisitions Contractor), and Tom Linsenmeyer (GFT Contractor) developed a cost estimate intake tool and approval workflow for Right of Way (ROW). Spencer McDonald (Division 14 Bridge Maintenance Engineer) used precast concrete blocks during Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
