NCDOT boundary marker, California Creek, NC, 1996. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
Drill rig, California Creek, NC, 1997. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
NCDOT geologist Jody Kuhne identifying springs in the rock face that will need to be drilled and piped, California Creek, NC, 2000. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
Drainage control culverts to control runoff from springs which would undercut the highway over time, California Creek, NC, 1998. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
Sign placed on the job site by the contractor, Gilbert Southern, encouraging higher quotas in an effort to finish before deadline which would mean bonuses for the contractor, California Creek, NC, 2000. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
Inspector measuring depth of asphalt on I-26 shoulder, California Creek, NC, 2002. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
Paving crew, California Creek, NC, 2002. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
I-26 with fresh pavement, but far from completion, running along Jarvis Branch Road, California Creek, NC, 2002. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
Aerial seeing of highway shoulders, California Creek, NC, 2003. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
At the Observation Deck on I-26 West, near mile 7, California Creek, NC 2003. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
"I really can't comprehend the road or what it might look like years from now. I've always seen it from the viewpoint of walking up there and looking at the mountains. I knew there was a road coming on line, but I had no concept of it being a road. All of a sudden for me it's gonna be a road. One of the overlooks is right there. They decided right where I lived was the most beautiful view. So I'm excited about the first time I get to go up there on the highway and actually get to pull into the overlook. I can't comprehend what kind of emotions I'm gonna feel."
Glyph constructed by Iktome, California Creek, NC, 1998. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
"From now on I'm gonna have this place where anybody that goes there is going to experience something I experienced. I thought, if I work with this, putting good energy onto this place, then I could make it where everybody that goes through this cut is going to be transformed in some way. Life will not be the same for anybody. I'd like each person to have a little more awareness of their impact and the impact they create. In order for them to come through here, to drive their cars through here, this had to happen. And this had to happen so they could be here. How do they feel about a big acre wide swath cut through the mountains? A little bit of awareness by each person coming through will help. I want people to be transformed. The earth needs transformation. I want people passing through here to feel a little twinge, and say, 'Something's different. I just passed through a portal.'
Glyph erected by Iktome, seen in the background, blowing a diggie-do, California Creek, NC, 1998. Photo courtesy of Rob Amberg.
