Katherine Zehnder
Carolina Journal
On Wednesday, Sen. Thom Tillis announced $5.2 million in infrastructure grant funds to North Carolina from the US Department of Transportation. The announcement comes as the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) launches an effort to re-evaluate future funding options for the state’s infrastructure system, and get public feedback.
“This $5.2 million in grant funding will positively impact the daily lives of North Carolinians across our state by making our communities safer and travel easier,” said Senator Tillis in a press release. “I’m proud these investments were made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I helped negotiate, write, and pass into law.”
The state gas tax has long been NCDOT’s primary funding source, accounting for 43% of state revenue dedicated to NCDOT. However, as vehicles become more fuel efficient, with some using no fuel, the gas tax becomes less reliable and stable.
A recent report from a Washington, DC-based non-profit, National Transportation Research Nonprofit (TRIP), titled “Keeping North Carolina Mobile,” assessed North Carolina’s transportation system.
“NCDOT’s ability to adequately maintain the state’s major roads, highways, and bridges depends on long-term, consistent, and sufficient funding that targets the assets in the greatest need of repair,” according to the report. “The state DOT’s annual level of investment in roadway and bridge preservation falls short of the amount needed to adequately maintain the state’s road, highways, and bridges.”
In 2022, the $656 million spent on preserving roads and highways came up $341 million short of the annual investment recommended by NCDOT of $997 million. Of the $656 million spent in 2022, $371 million was spent on bridge preservation, which was still $39 million short of the $410 million recommended annual investment.
“While NCDOT does not typically comment on reports prepared outside of the department, we appreciate any discussions on ways to fund the future of transportation in North Carolina and are encouraging the public to stay involved,” Aaron Moody, assistant director of communication for NCDOT told the Carolina Journal in an email. “We have a new initiative in partnership with the NC Chamber and other public-private partners to find sustainable funding solutions for declining transportation revenues. We’ve launched a website, advancenctransportation.com, to better inform the public about transportation funding.”
On the NCDOT’s new website, users can take a survey to share their opinions about the future of transportation funding. The website also explains the looming issue of shifting transportation revenue with an interactive online calculator demonstrating how gas tax costs compare with other potential funding options.
“NCDOT will continue to work with our partners to deliver safe and reliable transportation options for all who travel in our state,” Moody added.
The federal grants announced by Tillis will go to the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, Boiling Springs, Winston-Salem, Huntersville, Hope Mills, Winterville, McAdenville, and the village of Marvin to develop “comprehensive safety action plans.”
Chapel Hill will receive $800,000 to fund a rewrite of the traffic impact analysis process, expand the “Safe Routes to School Action Plan,” and conduct a road diet on a street in the central business district with no bike lanes.
Funding the Department of Transportation is not a challenge unique to North Carolina; many states are dealing with changing transportation revenue. A press release states North Carolina is partnering with The Eastern Transportation Coalition to explore sustainable long-term funding solutions that support a robust transportation network and a growing state.
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