Highwayland

This straw was used to cover seeds planted on areas where the earthwork has been finished. The vegetation grows quickly and prevents erosion.

This machine spreads the seed out. The mix that comes from the machine "combines water, seed, fertilizer, and sometimes hydromulch into a slurry." (photo and quoted information courtesy of www.ncdot.org)

This is the machine they use to blow the straw over the seeds after they have been sprayed down. After the straw has been spread by the strawblower it is held in place by an "emulsified asphalt" mixture. The Tack Applicator (another machine for the mixture) "provides a uniform spray over straw or hay mulch to hold it in place until the vegetation is established" (photo and quoted information courtesy of www.ncdot.org) www.ncdot.org is a good informative site, I highly recommend it.

Eastbound view showing rumble strips.

This is another eastbound view of the US 64 Bypass from on top of an overpass in Knightdale.

The Knightdale water tower can be seen for miles from both east and west. Close up, you can see how the seeds turn out.

I am pretty sure these were not planted by the DOT. They probably just came up by themselves. I think this plant is called a Mallow. If anyone has any further information please enter it in the Guestbook so I can update it here.