When Hurricane Helene devastated communities across the Southeast, roads and bridges became more than infrastructure. They became lifelines.

We’re proud that our own Tanya Ball, Senior Project Manager for our North Carolina Division, joined transportation leaders at American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) National Convention for a powerful discussion on the response to Helene and the lessons shaping recovery and future resilience.

The panel brought together leaders from the North Carolina Department of Transportation , myTDOT , Georgia Department of Transportation , Florida Department of Transportation and the construction industry, offering perspectives from across the states and teams that responded when communities needed them most.

One message especially resonated: contractors often simply “showed up and started helping.”

We saw that spirit firsthand in Western North Carolina, where agencies, contractors, emergency personnel, utilities and local communities worked side by side to restore access and reconnect people with essential services.

We’re proud of Tanya for representing Wright Brothers and sharing the contractor perspective on an effort that continues today.