State transportation officials want to hear from the public on what regional and local transportation projects should be top priorities in the next version of the State Transportation Improvement Program, the 10-year plan that identifies funding for projects and schedules them for construction.

Data and local input are used to determine which projects get built based on a funding formula championed by Gov. Pat McCrory to reduce congestion, increase safety and promote economic growth.

During a public comment period that runs until July 22, each of NCDOT’s 14 local transportation divisions will host an informal public meeting to present proposed projects and to receive feedback.

Division Nine, which includes Stokes, Forsyth, Davie, Davidson and Rowan counties, will hold its meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. July 12 at the Division Nine Office, 375 Silas Creek Parkway, in Winston-Salem.

During that time, citizens are invited to stop in and provide input on how the division plans to rank its project priorities.

These meetings are not for maintenance-related projects, such as patching potholes, resurfacing or ditches.

Attending a meeting isn’t necessary to comment. Comments can also be submitted online. Project lists can be found online here.

Citizens can also contact Division Nine Planning Engineer Diane Hampton at 336-747-7800, dkhampton@ncdot.gov or by mail at the NCDOT Division Nine Office: 375 Silas Creek Parkway Winston-Salem, NC 27127.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for anyone who is disabled who wants to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact the division contact for the meeting they plan to attend as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Following the comment period, the division will consider the public input while determining its final project rankings.

The Strategic Transportation Investments Law, which which established the funding formula being used to develop the plan, became law in 2013. The new formula was used for the first time to develop the 2016-2015 plan, which was approved in June 2015 and resulted in 300 more projects being funded than under the old formula. The state updates the plan every two years to ensure it accurately reflects the state’s current financial situation.