SALISBURY — NC DOT has a new high-speed debris removal tool that can help them work at highway speeds.
Officials say, the Gator Getter will not only improve efficiency, but also increase safety for workers.
“People just driving down the road look at it and wonder what it is," said Joshua McKee, NCDOT Transportation Worker.
It's called The Gator Getter and its job is to pick up everything, from litter to blown out tractor trailer tires, that resemble alligators.
“It's similar to a plow truck, the same controls. You're going down the highway, you just drop it and pick it up. Go with flow of traffic, maintain speed," said Joshua McKee, NCDOT Transportation Worker.
"That allows us to pick up this road debris without having to have flaggers and slowing down traffic and without folks having to get out of the vehicle,” said Miracle King, NCDOT Communications Officer.
Being able to maintain highway speed means crews can pick up debris without shutting lanes down or putting lives at risk.
“At the end of the day we want to be safe keep folks -- motorists to be safe, we want our workers to be safe," said King. "This allows us the opportunity to get our workers off the roadway in the line of traffic and be behind the wheel."
DOT officials say the tool costs between $16,000 and $17,000. They say each of the 14 DOT divisions in the state operate their own budgets separately. Out of those 14, seven Gator Getters have been ordered across North Carolina, but spending the money now means saving some down the road.
“There are actually cost savings. You are talking about a four man crew going down to one," said King. "We’re saving on money and time.”
As always, NC DOT crews ask that you give them space while they're working. They say some items could bounce out of the Gator Getter and it's a good idea to move over a lane.