Future Investments
We aim to improve the lives of North Carolinians by creating a dynamic transportation network.
To make this vision a reality, we need to make smart investments to modernize our transportation network. That’s why AdvaNCe Transportation Together is working to identify solutions to fund our infrastructure needs.
Ultimately, we want to help you get where you need to go safely and efficiently.
Whether you travel by air, foot, ferry, bike, train, or vehicle, we’re committed to making the investments needed to get you there.
Why is it important to modernize and stabilize transportation revenues?
North Carolina’s growing population wants
safe and efficient roadways
with greater connectivity to an
expanded multimodal
transportation network.
Generating stable revenues through modernized user fees will allow North Carolina to prepare for the future by maintaining what we have and building what we need. That means as North Carolina grows, we’re able to make smart investments so our transportation network can keep up.
Stable revenue isn’t just good for our roads, rail, buses, and airports. It’s also good for North Carolinians. It means you can get to work, healthcare, school, and recreation activities safely, reliably, and efficiently so you can spend more time doing what matters most to you. What could be more important than that?
How will citizens benefit from sustainable transportation revenues?
We are building a transportation network that improves your quality of life and helps our state’s economy thrive. To do that, we need smart investments that will create:
Better safety conditions.
Your safety is our
number one priority.
North Carolina supports “Vision Zero,” a goal to reduce car crashes and bring roadway fatalities down to zero. To do this, we need to invest in proven research and technology to design a safer transportation network. Further investment in passenger rail can more safely move people in their community and between cities,
Improved roads.
With smart investments, our state can help
North Carolinians lower transportation costs
and get to where they need to go safely.
Maintain roads more frequently
Adopt federal standards for road maintenance schedules
Reduce the backlog of construction projects
Modernize roadways so they can better withstand severe weather and increased traffic
Manage heavier vehicles, including delivery trucks and electric vehicles
In a 2020 statewide survey, most residents said they thought our state highways were well-maintained. However, a 2023 study by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, found that 1/3 of state roads are in poor or moderate condition.
Improving road pavements can save drivers time and money. Poor pavement conditions cause more wear and tear on your vehicle. In fact, TRIP estimates that each driver pays an additional $484 per year in vehicle operating costs due to North Carolina’s road conditions.
Cleaner air.
North Carolinians deserve
to breathe easier.
That’s why in 2022 Governor Cooper established a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. Achieving this goal means better air quality and more money in North Carolinians’ pockets.
Focused transportation investments can help us:
Provide more public transit options,
Develop commuter rails that take workers directly to job centers, and
Design roadways that improve traffic flow.
These changes could mean fewer cars on the road, less congestion, and better air quality for our state.
More transportation options.
We want to build a multimodal network that gives you reliable and convenient mobility options without needing a vehicle. An increased investment in alternative modes of transportation will enable transit services to expand in rural communities, improve travel time and frequency of service, and provide an economic boost while improving quality of life. Providing citizens with more frequent commuter and passenger rail, transit, ferry, and flight services and expanding our greenways, sidewalks, and dedicated bicycle lanes will also enable citizens to use cleaner forms of transportation.
As North Carolina grows,
so do our state’s transportation needs.
A growing population means more cars on the road and greater wear and tear on roadways. To keep up with these demands, investing in our transportation is a must. We can use these investments to better maintain roadways for drivers and to give people more public transit options for getting around their towns and cities.
North Carolina’s population is growing steadily each year. With a population nearing 10.7 million in 2022, North Carolina’s population is the 9th largest in the nation. Since 2010, the state has gained about 848,000 people. By 2038, our total population is expected to reach 12.8 million—nearly 25% larger than it is today. At the same time, people are making more trips in a day. This means we have more people living, working, and playing in our state. Improving transit options will help combat congestion caused by population growth and can slow the growth of road miles traveled.
A stronger economy.
Building our transportation system
leads to increased business activity and job growth.
In fact, investing in our public transportation system and roadways can generate tens of thousands of jobs throughout the state, increase tourism, and make your travel experience less stressful.
Investing in our state’s transportation network can save businesses time and money. Efficient transportation means businesses can deliver their goods and services faster.
Providing consistent funding also benefits the construction industry by maintaining a dedicated year-round workforce. A stable workforce will increase competition while helping lower costs and completing projects in less time.
