The wreck report states a truck owned by WCA of NC was attempting to make a left turn onto Wake Forest Rd. when the top of the bed made contact with a traffic light. The truck driver admitted that the lift bed was not working properly, but still drove the vehicle.

Police directed cars and small trucks through the intersection and traffic flow was generally being maintained in all directions.

Due to the low-hanging wires, tall vehicles -- such as 18-wheelers -- could not pass through a portion of Wake Forest Road near the intersection for several hours.

As of 4:23 p.m., normal traffic flow had been restored in the area of the accident.

Producers of the movie "Main Street" (starring Colin Firth, Ellen Burstyn, Patricia Clarkson and Orlando Bloom) have permission from the state of North Carolina to shut down the road from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. every night this week.

Curious passers-by got a preview of the filming over the last few days, as crews put together an intricate truck wreck along the side of the highway.

Producers of "Main Street" are putting a lot into this scene, which they'll be shooting over the next few nights.

"It's not an easy thing to do," said Battle Whitley, an engineer from the Department of Transportation. "And it is something that took several weeks of planning."

Before settling on this spot, producers originally wanted to use a stretch of Highway 147 or a different part of NC 540.

"We told them no, they couldn't use those locations," said Whitley. "They were too busy."

Drivers who use the road had mixed feelings about it being shut down at night.

"It does leave me just one way to get home, though: down Airport Boulevard," said Morrisville's Abby Durden, who said she's glad to see the Triangle get some Hollywood attention.

Some drivers said the location is a perfect spot, since NC 540 has been built to support a lot of traffic, but hasn't been completed yet.

"If they're going to pick one, they picked the right one," said Bill Watson. "Because this is the quiet end of it."

North Carolina isn't charging the movie makers any fees for shutting down 540, but producers are footing the bill for any costs involved; the DOT insists no taxpayer money will be used.

State officials say the benefits outweigh any inconvenience.

"A lot of people get put to work and a lot of money gets put into the economy pretty quickly," said Aaron Syrett, Director of North Carolina's Film Office. "Construction material. They need artists, they need painters, they need electricians."

DOT officials say they're monitoring the roads, and if the movie causes too much of a problem during rush hour, they will make producers adjust by cleaning things up quicker or simply giving them less time to knock everything out.

According to DOT officials, drivers should use the following routes as detours around the filming:

• WESTBOUND: Exit at Davis Drive (Exit 67) and use Kitt Creek Road from Davis Drive to N.C. 55.

• EASTBOUND: N.C. 55 to Morrisville-Carpenter Road back to Davis Drive to McCrimmon Parkway to N.C. 54.

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Crews have shut down Morrisville-Carpenter Road between NC-54 and Church Street to do improvements; the work is expected to last four to six weeks.

The work is effecting one of the busiest intersections in town, and people hoping to drive along Morrisville-Carpenter are being rerouted up to McCrimmon Parkway.

Through-traffic on NC-54 will not be affected.

Fayetteville PD stated in a press release that officers were dispatched to the All American Freeway, near the Cliffdale Road exit around 2:51 a.m. Upon arrival, police found a white male lying unresponsive on the side of the road.

The driver of the vehicle involved in the incident remained on-scene. Police say the male had been a passenger in the vehicle and the driver and victim were acquaintances.

No identities have been released pending further investigation and notification of next of kin.

Crews say the lights are back up and the car accident has been cleared.

Because the lights were out, traffic was detoured at Yonkers Rd. and Ratchford Dr.

Authorities say the driver of the accident was not injured.

The State Highway Patrol is launching its Operation Drive Smart 2009 initiative April 6-12. It's a joint effort with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to crack down on reckless driving in work zones.

Officers on motorcycles, and in marked and unmarked cars, will aggressively be enforcing driving laws like speeding over the week to try to save lives. The NCDOT says more than four out of five people killed in work zone accidents are motorists.

"It's been a while since we've had a worker killed in a work zone," said Capt. Everett Clendenin, public information officer for the highway patrol. "We're very happy about that. But we're still having motorists killed in these work zones. So this is an effort by the patrol and the DOT to stop that, too."

There are currently more than 200 major work zones in North Carolina, but Operation Drive Smart will put much of its focus on some of the busiest sites, including:

-I-95 in Cumberland County
-I-85/I-40 in Guilford, Alamance, Orange counties
-I-77 in Yadkin County
-NC 24/27 in Stanly County
-I-40 in Buncombe, McDowell counties
-I-26 in Henderson County

A speeding ticket in a work zone could cost a driver $250, plus court costs and points against his or her driver's license.

The section between Ramseur and Duke streets will be closed while crews install underground vaults for the new power infrastructure.

The installation is part of the West Village Street improvement project.

Detours will be in place for about 45 days.

On Thursday afternoon, Chief Harry Dolan was on his way home when he was flagged down by a woman parked in front of the city municipal building.

It turns out she’d locked herself out of her car, which contained all the material she needed to testify at a public hearing that was taking place in City Hall.

After hearing of her plight, the chief could have called another one of his officers to assist.

Instead, he parked his cruiser, opened the trunk and pulled out a device known as a “Slim Jim” which is used to open locked cars so they can be towed away.

In a matter of a few moments, the chief had opened the grateful woman’s door.

After he drove off, a reporter asked the woman if she knew who just helped her.

“No,” she said.

Informed it was the chief of police, the woman was surprised.

“He did that for me,?” she said, and walked away shaking her head in amazement.

As Dragnet’s Joe Friday would say, “Those are the facts Ma’am.”

Jim Sughrue, spokesman for the Raleigh PD, said the exit ramp is closed due to down traffic signals.

The line of signals that has fallen is affecting Wake Forest Road just south of the I-440 overpass, and traffic in both directions on the road is being detoured.

Southbound traffic on Wake Forest Road is being diverted onto the outer loop of the Beltline (westbound), up a ramp that is just north of the overpass. Northbound Wake Forest Road motorists are being u-turned south of the problem area.

At this time, traffic exiting from the inner loop to Wake Forest Road is being allowed to turn north but not south. However, it's possible that even the turns to the north might have to be temporarily prohibited to accommodate repair work.

Progress Energy is on scene for repairs, but it looks as if the ramp will be closed for the duration of the morning commute. The repairs are expected to take several hours to complete and motorists are advised to avoid the area until normal traffic flow is restored.

Sughrue said it is unknown at this time what has caused the line of signals to fall.

The parade, originally scheduled for March 14 will now take place on March 21.

But those wanting to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, there are still other events taking place this weekend.

The Hillsborough Street Renaissance Festival will close Hillsborough Street between Gardner Street and Enterprise Street between Noon and 10 p.m.

A road race in downtown Raleigh on Saturday will also have some streets shutdown from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. The 200 and 300 blocks of South Person Street will be blocked beginning at 7:30 a.m. Roads affected by the race include: South Person, Wake Forest, Chestnut Street, Mordecai Street, Delway Street, Blount Street, Jones Street, Person Street, Edenton, Blount, and Morgan.

Other traffic alerts for the weekend:

• Traffic will be affected downtown on March 14 from 12 p.m. until 12 a.m. The 100 block of N. West Street will be closed from Jones Street south to the driveway of the Power House parking deck.
• Traffic will be affected from 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. on March 15. The 300 block of W. North Street from Glenwood Avenue to a point just east of 301 W. North Street will be closed.

The Raleigh-Wake Emergency Communications Center has launched a free website that charts car accidents and disabled vehicle incidents as they're reported.

As 9-1-1 calls come into the dispatch center, accidents and other traffic problems show up on a Google map on the website. Text describes the location and the nature of the incident.

You can also follow the online traffic information system through Twitter, to receive up-to-date traffic alerts on a mobile device.

Click here to access the system.

Officials say there was an issue in the server room that was being worked on and that caused a freon leak in the building.

When firefighters arrived, they smelled a burning smell. That ended up being a loose belt in the HVAC system.

Employees were allowed back into the building around 4:30 p.m.

Click here for details.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is a week away from making some major changes at the intersection of NC 54 and Church Street near Morrisville.

The area is technically in Durham, but sits just a few hundred feet from Morrisville's town limits.

Delores Scott has lived on Church Street her entire life, and remembers when it was the far from a major thoroughfare.

"That was a regular dirt road," said Scott. "Sometimes progress affects people in a different way, and it's not affecting us the very best way."

The intersection is just up the road from Scott's house, and it has turned into a major feeding line into RTP.

"It is set up for a bad situation there," said DOT Division Engineer Wally Bowman.

Accidents are common, and he said he is worried that the daily congestion could lead to a car getting hit by a train, so next week, the DOT is changing it so cars can go straight or make right turns only.

"We're trying to fix a safety problem before a bad thing really happens there," said Bowman.

The biggest impact on the morning commute is that drivers won't be able to turn left there to head towards RTP like they used to.

"It's gonna suck," said Morrisville Transportation Planner Michele Hane, with a laugh.

Morrisville officials are already worried about what the changes will do to other roads feeding onto 54.

"I think McCrimmon will take the brunt of the diverted traffic," said Hane.

Most cars will have to head towards Morrisville and cut over on McCrimmon Parkway, or find another route all together.

"It certainly won't make it any better for us," said Scott.

DOT officials say they wanted to close access from Church Street entirely; they're keeping it partially open because of all the complaints, but say it is simply too dangerous to keep things the way they are.

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The lanes will be closed until Friday, Feb. 6, weather permitting. 

The lanes are being closed for a private developer to install a new median on High House Rd. in Cary at the Lowe's Foods shopping center.  Once complete on Friday, left turns from the shopping center onto High House Road will be restricted.  Left turns from Loop Road onto High House will also be restricted. 

Delays are expected, and motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes.

2. Flickr stream

3. Map Of Area

4. Flickr stream of ferries arriving

5. Share: Do you know of anyone who was on the flight. If so, let us know.

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The agency says although an estimated 1.9 million North Carolinians will travel this Christmas, that's actually about 22,000 fewer people than during Christmas 2007.

Lower gas prices are encouraging some people to drive this holiday in order to get where they want to go.

And, although gas prices are down in North Carolina, out of state drivers like Gene Suggs of Virginia say they are surprised at how much more expensive gas is here compared to his home state.

"They're higher here in North Carolina than they are in Virginia. I'd say they're at least 10 cents a gallon higher."

Air travel continues to be a costly proposition for many this year.

One South Carolina woman who stopped at a rest area on Interstate 95 in Johnston County said she had to drive home for the holidays because she couldn't afford the airfares this year.

"Prices are too high and airport delays are too many," said Stephanie Mack as she prepared to continue on to her parent's home in Virginia.

The Triple AAA predicts Wednesday should be the busiest day on the roads, and with no major storms impacting the southeast, highway travel should be fairly easy.

There were no immediate reports of serious injuries in the accident Saturday evening on Continental Flight 1404.

Continental spokeswoman Mary Clark says the plane was carrying 107 passengers and five crew members.

The weather in Denver was cold but not snowy at the time. Roads to the airport were dry.

FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown says the flight was heading to Houston. Officials did not release other details.

Latest Updates

Raleigh Police are aware of the situation on O’Neal Road and have tried to address the problem in the past. But, in the next few weeks, the police will re-double their efforts in that neighborhood.

Area residents say it's an old problem, caused in large part by teen drivers.

“We have been fighting the speeding issue for about five years,” said one resident who asked to be known only as "Kristi" because she fears repercussions from area students if they know her last name.

On Friday afternoon, a resident had a close call with a speeder.

“I could have been a fatality or a serious injury,” said Maureen Glasgow.

She said she’d just turned on to O’Neal Road when she was almost hit by a speeding car driven by a teenager.

“A car pulled out into my lane head on, at least 50 miles an hour,” Glasgow said. “I immediately slammed on my brakes, and he swerved just in time to miss me, but there was just a hair’s breath of distance between us; it was that close.”

This past summer, area residents met with Raleigh Police to talk about the situation.

“They've been really patrolling the area, but when they're not here then the speeders still exist,” said Kristi.

Residents believe a lot of the speeders are kids from nearby Leesville High School, but police stats from previous ticketing don't bear that out.

“Of the 15 citations we've issued only three of them who were in violation were actually high school students,” explained Raleigh Police Sgt. J.C. Wacenske.

But students or not, O’Neal Road is smack in the middle of their radar, so to speak.

And come the first of the year, Raleigh Police will begin a new, vigorous enforcement campaign.

"We’ll be conducting a special speed enforcement project in January and February to see if we can't start correcting the issues at hand," said Sgt. Wacenske.

Five police officers, working 12 hour shifts will set their sights on O’Neal Road’s scofflaws.

“This enforcement will be very strict enforcement,” said Wacenske.

And Raleigh Police say the most critical part of their special enforcement project on O’Neal Road will be feedback from neighborhood residents.

Police say they'll depend on residents those who live in the area to tell them if the situation is any better come the end of February.

About the Regional Transportation Alliance

The Regional Transportation Alliance business leadership group focuses on relieving traffic congestion and enhancing mobility in the extended Triangle region. Spearheaded by more than 100 companies and anchored by more than 20 chambers of commerce in the region, the Alliance identifies, promotes and accelerates transportation policies and solutions to ensure economic vitality and preserve quality of life.

The exit ramp from the Outer Beltline to the Capital Boulevard northbound lanes were closed this morning when hay being pulled in a pick-up truck trailer caught fire.

Firefighters had to douse the flames before removing the hay from the road.

No injuries were reported and a cause for the fire is still under investigation.

Still, some drivers around the Triangle said if people have plans to travel, they're going to travel regardless of the price of gas. Greg Waldon from Raleigh is planning to stay close to home for Thanksgiving but says if he had plans to travel, he'd make the trip whether gas prices were high or low.

"If you spend another $20 or $30 I don't think for most people it will be a deal breaker," he said.

But Jim Porter from Richmond, Va. drove to Raleigh to visit friends for the holiday, and said lower gas prices make a difference in how much traveling he'll do. These days, it's costing him about $30 to fill up. A welcome relief compared to what it used to be.

"(Used to be) about $60 or more," Porter said. "And especially with my drive to work, I commute 35 miles so it was costing me quite a lot."

Greta Dula from Raleigh is headed to Rocky Mount, 45 minutes away. She uses premium to finding it for under $2 was quite a deal. She said gas prices dictate where people go and what they do so the lower prices may encourage more people to travel this Thanksgiving.

"I think it will definitely spur some people to want to go further," Dula said. "Ride to the beach, do more outlet shopping then what they would when it was closer to $3."

In North Carolina 17,000 fewer motorists and 14,000 fewer air passengers are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home. In South Carolina, the decline is 8,000 fewer motorists and 7,000 fewer air passengers, a decline of 1.5 percent in the number of Carolinians expected to travel over the holiday.

An estimated 1.22 million North Carolinians and almost 600,000 South Carolinians plan to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday, including 1.07 million North Carolinians and 526,000 South Carolinians by vehicle; 149,000 North Carolinians and 73,000 South Carolinians are expected to fly.

"Concern over the economy is having a depressing effect on Thanksgiving holiday travel this year," said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. "Still, the decline is smaller than might be expected, because most people think Thanksgiving is a holiday they want to spend with families and friends."

The continuing daily price drop for gasoline may encourage some Carolinians to alter plans and engage in last-minute travel to take advantage of some of the lowest gas prices in years. It is the fourth consecutive travel holiday this year with a year-to-year decline in the number of expected travelers.

Thanksgiving, traditionally the only four-day holiday of the year, is revered by many people as a time to "create memories," "reconnect and build relationships" and "continue past traditions," according to a recent AAA travel survey.

Nationally, nearly 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend, a decrease of 600,000 travelers from last year and the first decline in holiday travel since 2002.

Gas prices in the Carolinas have declined more than 60 percent since hitting record highs of more then $4 a gallon in September following Hurricane Ike and are more than a dollar less per gallon than last Thanksgiving. In North Carolina, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $1.97, down $1.11 from last year. South Carolina's average gas price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $1.86, down $1.10 from 2007.

ROAD TRAVEL

Motorists will find the cheapest gas in North Carolina in Fayetteville at $1.91 for a gallon of regular unleaded, a decrease of $1.16 per gallon from last year, while the state's most expensive gas is found in Boone at $2.02, down $1.06 from 2007.

South Carolinians will find the cheapest gas in Greenville at $1.80 for a gallon of regular unleaded, down $1.16 a gallon from 2007, while the most expensive is in Charleston at $1.92 a gallon, a decrease of $1.02 a gallon from 2007.

In North Carolina, most construction projects along interstate and U.S. routes will be suspended beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 25, thru Monday, Dec. 1. One exception is Interstate 85 in Vance County, reduced to one lane in each direction between mile markers 206 and 214, where motorists can expect delays, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. In South Carolina, all construction projects will be suspended over the holiday travel period.

Parsons cautioned Carolinians to drive carefully noting that in 2007, North Carolina had the dubious title of the worst state in the nation for increased traffic deaths, fueled by an increase in motorcycle and drunken driving deaths.

The Tarheel state was one of only 14 states to show an increase in traffic fatalities and its 7.8 percent increase resulted in a total of 1,675 fatalities, an increase of 121 fatalities over the previous year.

With heavy traffic expected on the roads this weekend, families should take extra measures to ensure safety on the highway.

AAA Carolinas recommends:

• Drivers take a break every two hours or 150 miles. Get out and stretch to reenergize your brain as well as pump blood to your muscles.
• On long trips, switch drivers regularly, preferably with someone who has been sitting in the back seat. Passengers sitting in the front seat with the driver are paying attention to the road as well and can experience just as much fatigue as the driver.
• Add about 15 minutes to every hour the trip typically takes to drive cautiously with the increased traffic
• Get a vehicle checkup before hitting the road. Be sure to check fluids and your tires, especially the spare tire.
• Follow the rules of the road - obey the speed limit, wear seat belts and never drink and drive.
  

AIR TRAVEL

Parsons said that the airlines have been hit hard by the economic slump and have cut capacity while raising airfares, resulting in a drop in passengers over Thanksgiving.

"Air travelers this Thanksgiving should still expect to find crowded airports and airplanes because Thanksgiving is the heaviest travel holiday of the year," said Parsons. "Because airlines have cut the number of flights, the remaining flights will be as fully booked as possible. In the event of delays or cancellations, passengers could experience a longer wait."

Parsons said air travelers should also be ready to pay for checked baggage, snacks, preferred seating and even pillows and blankets.

AAA Carolinas recommends that fliers:

• Carry a bag on the plane to save baggage check-in costs and possible delays in baggage areas.
• Be sure to have required identification available such as driver's license, state photo identity cards or U.S. passport to go through security lines.
• Any carry-on bags must follow the 3-1-1 rule. Only three ounces or less of liquids or gels can be carried, in a one-quart size zip lock bag in one bag to be carried on the plane.
• Purchase any water, drinks, snacks or food to carry on the plane after entering airport security, saving money over the cost of food offered for sale on the plane.

According to AAA Leisure Travel Index (LTI), Thanksgiving holiday travelers can also expect to pay more for car rentals this year, an average of four percent higher than a year ago for the same period.

Nearly 73 percent of Carolinians expect to stay with friends or relatives, up from 70 percent last year, another way that travelers may try to save money. Many Carolinians, about 57 percent, plan to visit family and friends for their travel activities.

The Thanksgiving holiday travel numbers are based on research from surveys of over 2,000 adults nationwide and a forecast model developed by the Travel Industry Association, which conducts special research for AAA. The data was collected by an online survey of over 2,000 adults nationwide and supplemented by an additional 5,000 Americans from the top 10 travel origins in the nation.

An affiliate of the American Automobile Association, AAA Carolinas is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 1.7 million members with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for all travelers.

New Terminal; New Terminal Names

Those who have not traveled through RDU recently will see that major changes have taken place at the airport.

On Oct. 26, RDU opened Terminal 2. The new terminal replaces the red-roofed Terminal C. With the opening of Terminal 2, Terminal A was renamed Terminal 1.

The following airlines operate from Terminal 1: AirTran, Continental, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest and US Airways.

The following airlines now operate from Terminal 2: Air Canada, American, Delta, United and Charter Express.

Navigating Security Checkpoint

The Transportation Security Administration offers the following tips to prepare travelers for the security checkpoint. Remember:

1. Have your ID out

2. Take your coat and shoes off

3. Take your laptop and bag with liquids and gels out and place in a screening bin

Follow 3-1-1 for carry-on luggage when bring liquids through the security checkpoint:

· 3 ounce bottle or less for all liquids, gels and aerosols that are not exempt

· 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag to hold all small bottles

· 1 bag per passenger in screening bin

 For a list of liquids and gels that are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule and for more travel tips, visit www.tsa.gov.

More Holiday Travel Tips

· Arrive early. RDU recommends arriving at the airport at least 90 minutes before your flight departs.

· Limit carry-on items. Each traveler is permitted to take one bag and one personal item, such as a purse or briefcase, through the security checkpoint.

· Follow the electronic signs to available parking. Electronic signs are located throughout the airport and will guide you to the parking garage and Park and Ride lots with available spaces.

· Use ExitExpress to pay for parking. If parking in the garage, which is located between the terminals, remember to keep your parking ticket with you. Pay for parking at an ExitExpress pay station before returning to your car.

Tips for Families

· Allow extra time for the security screening process when traveling with small children.

· Remove babies and children from their strollers and infant carriers before proceeding through the metal detector.

· Place all child-related luggage and equipment on the x-ray machine.

· Make arrangements for children traveling alone. Only ticketed passengers are permitted past security checkpoint; however, arrangements may be made for non-travelers to accompany children. Contact your airline to make arrangements.

Demolition of Terminal C

Crews recently began demolishing Terminal C in preparation for the construction of the remainder of Terminal 2. While demolition is visible, it will not impact holiday travelers.

Construction on the south concourse of Terminal 2 and additional airline ticketing and baggage claim space will be completed in winter 2011.

For more holiday travel tips, visit www.rdu.com.

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