North Carolina Labor Commissioner Launches Safety Partnership for I-40 Rebuild
Commissioner Luke Farley and AMES Construction join forces to protect workers and strengthen safety practices during the reconstruction of Interstate 40 following Hurricane Helene.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Oct 28, 2025
North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley has announced a new safety partnership with AMES Construction to support the reconstruction of Interstate 40, one of the state’s most critical transportation corridors. The effort is part of the ongoing recovery following the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.
The partnership was formalized during an on-site ceremony at the I-40 rebuild project, where state labor officials, AMES Construction leaders, and local stakeholders gathered to emphasize their shared commitment to worker safety throughout the massive rebuilding effort.
“Hurricane Helene caused so much destruction across our state — to our homes, our infrastructure, and our communities,” Farley said. “We cannot allow lives to be lost in the rebuild. That’s why this safety partnership is so important. Together with AMES Construction and our incredible OSH Division, we’re ensuring that every worker goes home safely each day while rebuilding one of North Carolina’s most critical roadways.”
The NCDOL–AMES Construction partnership will focus on proactive safety measures, enhanced training, and open communication among all partners. The initiative draws on the expertise of the N.C. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division, which enforces and promotes workplace safety across the state.
Interstate 40 is a major artery for commerce, travel, and daily life in North Carolina, and its restoration is considered vital for economic recovery and community resilience.
“Rebuilding I-40 is about more than repairing a highway — it’s about restoring opportunity, resilience, and hope,” Farley said. “We’re proud to work with AMES Construction to make that happen safely.”
For more information about the N.C. Department of Labor’s safety partnerships and programs, visit www.labor.nc.gov.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco brings a strong and varied journalism background to her role at Occupational Health & Safety, having previously served as a multimedia editor, broadcast journalist, professor and reviewer across major news organizations. As Content Editor, she writes news and feature articles, hosts sponsor and editorial webinars, co-hosts the SafetyPod worker health and safety podcast, and manages the brand’s digital and social media presence. She is committed to informing and engaging the safety community through compelling reporting and conversations that support safer, healthier workplaces.