NCDOT's 2026 Innovation Challenge is OPEN
Welcome back to the annual Innovation Challenge!
All NCDOT employees and contractors are invited to participate in the 2026 Innovation Challenge! Join your fellow innovators in solving the 2026 theme, Every Dollar Counts, crafted by Division 14 Resident Engineer, Kenny McCourt! Thank you Kenny!
Whether in the field or the office, help us identify operational savings ideas that could:
- Improve Efficiency
- Reduce Waste
- Leverage Existing NCDOT Resources
Submission Period: NOW until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 27th.
Now’s your chance to aid in project efficiency across our department! Use the NEW 2026 Innovation Challenge Submission Document to capture your idea and the people behind the innovation. Access the 2026 application and form at the links below.
Submit Your Document Here by April 27, 2026
All NCDOT employees have a chance to win the challenge, be featured in a video, and receive an NCDOT prize! Judges represent a variety of roles within the Department and will select the winners of the 2026 Innovation Challenge. Announcement of winners will be held in July 2026.
To contact the CLEAR Innovation team, email CLEAR@ncdot.gov.
Congratulations to 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.
