Senator Thom Tillis announced on Wednesday that $5.2 million in infrastructure grant funds will be allocated to North Carolina by the US Department of Transportation. This funding will be used to improve the state’s infrastructure system, making communities safer and travel easier for residents across North Carolina. The grants are a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law negotiated and passed into law by Senator Tillis.
NCDOT relies heavily on the state gas tax for funding, but with the increase in fuel-efficient vehicles, this revenue source has become less stable. A recent report by the National Transportation Research Nonprofit highlighted the need for consistent and sufficient funding to maintain the state’s roads, highways, and bridges.
In 2022, NCDOT fell short of the recommended annual investment in roadway and bridge preservation, with $341 million less than the $997 million required. The department acknowledges this funding challenge and has launched a new initiative in partnership with the NC Chamber and other public-private partners to find sustainable solutions for declining transportation revenues.
To gather public feedback on the future of transportation funding, NCDOT has launched a website with a survey and an interactive calculator to explore different funding options. The department is committed to working with partners to provide safe and reliable transportation options for everyone in the state.
The federal grants announced by Senator Tillis will be used by various regions in North Carolina to develop comprehensive safety action plans. Chapel Hill will receive $800,000 to improve traffic impact analysis, expand safe routes to school, and implement a road diet in the central business district.
Overall, North Carolina is actively working with partners to address the challenge of changing transportation revenue and ensure a robust transportation network for the state’s growing population.
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