NCDOT seeks public input on upcoming projects

SALISBURY — The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program is urging Rowan County residents to provide input on upcoming transportation projects.
“This is an important time for communities to get involved in shaping the future of transportation in your area,” said Emily Richards of NCDOT.
DOT officials have designated the month of July for people to express which projects are important to them via the agency’s interactive prioritization survey map.
“This survey requests that users vote to prioritize projects that are competing for funding in the remaining categories,” reads information from NCDOT. “This feedback will be used to help inform NCDOT’s assignment of local input points. Local input points assigned by NCDOT and local planning organizations account for 30 percent of the final project score in the Regional Impact category, and 50 percent of the final project score in the Division Needs category.”
The survey map’s online portal can be found on NCDOT’s website.
Those with limited internet access may also give their opinions in person.
“They can also participate in open house public meetings set to take place across the state over the coming weeks,” reads information from NCDOT. “These will be informal gatherings in which citizens can share their interests in transportation projects and ask questions of local NCDOT staff.”
A designated meeting is scheduled for the NCDOT division office at Metrolina Regional Transportation Management Center 2327 Tipton Drive, Charlotte, on July 23.
Public input is one part of NCDOT’s information gathering efforts for its 10-year plan. The goal of the projects is to increase safety, reduce congestion and promote economic growth.
“It allows NCDOT to use its funding more efficiently to enhance North Carolina’s infrastructure while supporting economic growth, job creation and a higher quality of life,” reads information from NCDOT.
Public input will be included in the tally determining project priority.
“After the comment period closes, local planning organizations and NCDOT’s 14 Divisions will each assign their local input points, which are added to total quantitative scores for Regional Impact and Division Needs categories,” reads information from NCDOT. “Project scores will be finalized, and the 2028-2037 draft will be released in late winter/early spring 2027, with adoption by the Board of Transportation in the summer.”