RALEIGH — Roanoke-Chowan area road improvement projects and the replacement of six bridges were part of 20 contracts approved Tuesday, Feb. 1 by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

NCDOT Chief Operating Officer Jim Trogdon made the announcement, stating that the total cost of the statewide improvements was $159 million. The R-C area work totals $5.7 million.

The following bridges will be replaced in Hertford County:

George Parker Road bridge over Buckhorn Creek near Como;

Beaver Dam Road bridge over Old Tree Swamp near Winton; and

Hall Siding Road bridge over Horse Swamp near Ahoskie.

The following bridges will be replaced in Northampton County:

Chapel Hill Church Road bridge over Bridgers Creek near Rich Square;

Horne Road bridge over a branch of Kirby’s Creek near Severn; and

Barrow’s Mill Road bridge over Gumberry Swamp near Jackson.

A $3.8 million contract was awarded to Carolina Bridge Company, Inc. of Orangeburg, S.C. for the work in Hertford and Northampton counties. Work can begin as early as Feb. 28, with final completion no later than March 17, 2013.

DOT also approved the widening and resurfacing of 21.4 miles of roadway in Gates County, including two sections of U.S. 158, a section of U.S. 13, a section of N.C. 37 and 10 sections of secondary roads throughout the county totaling 9.4 miles. A $1.9 million contract was awarded to Rose Brothers Paving Company Inc. of Ahoskie. Work can begin as early as March 15 and be completed by Nov. 1.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 million spent on transportation creates 30 jobs, and according to the construction industry, every dollar invested in transportation generates $6 in economic impact.

For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.