RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation wants to hear from North Carolinians regarding their transportation priorities as part of its efforts to implement the state’s new Strategic Transportation Investments law.
Signed into law by Gov. McCrory last summer, House Bill 817 “Strategic Transportation Investments,” overhauls the way North Carolina funds transportation improvements, allowing NCDOT to make more efficient use of its existing revenues to fund more investments that improve the state’s transportation infrastructure, create jobs and help boost the economy.
The law establishes the Strategic Mobility Formula, which uses a data-driven approach to provide more flexibility in funding transportation improvements on the statewide, regional and division level with the goal of meeting the state’s top priorities while still addressing individualized local needs.
In the coming weeks, each of the 14 NCDOT Transportation Divisions across the state will submit its top transportation priorities to compete with other transportation improvements across the state for funding under the new formula. To help determine these priorities, each division is asking local residents to provide their thoughts on which transportation improvements are most important. Projects can be as large-scale as an interstate improvement or as small as a new turn lane or traffic signal, and can be for any mode of transportation, including public transit, bicycle/pedestrian, ferry, aviation and rail.
Residents can take part in the process by making their suggestions during a 30-day public comment period from today through Wednesday, Feb. 12. Each Transportation Division will host a public open house to meet with local residents and obtain feedback regarding transportation priorities.
In Division 9, which includes Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Rowan and Stokes counties, the open house will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, at the Division 9 Office, located at 375 Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem.
In addition, written comments can be submitted via email at dkhampton@ncdot.gov or regular mail at STI, 375 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27127. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Feb. 12.
More information about the Strategic Transportation Investments law and how it works, and the public meetings can be found on the NCDOT website.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Diane Hampton, P.E., at (336) 747-7800 as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.