Insights

May 20 — Transportation continues to be one of the most important issues facing North Carolina’s growing regions. For Centralina communities, the question is not simply whether the state invests in transportation, but whether the funding structure and project selection process can keep pace with growth, support regional mobility and help local governments plan for the future.

Transportation is a key area of focus for Centralina, particularly as the region continues to experience growth that places new demands on roads, transit, freight movement and local infrastructure. Centralina’s advocacy work will continue to monitor proposals that affect transportation funding, regional collaboration and the tools available to local governments.

A Broader Look at Transportation Funding

That regional lens is especially important as lawmakers take a broader look at North Carolina’s transportation future. The newly formed House Select Committee on North Carolina’s Transportation Future has begun examining how the state funds, prioritizes and delivers transportation projects. Recent reporting has also highlighted growing interest in revisiting the state’s transportation funding model, including the Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) process, as lawmakers consider whether the current system is still meeting the needs of a fast-growing state.

A major challenge is the long-term sustainability of transportation revenue. North Carolina, like other states, has historically relied heavily on motor fuel taxes to fund roads and transportation projects. But that model is under pressure as vehicles become more fuel efficient and more drivers transition to electric or hybrid vehicles. As gas tax revenue becomes less reliable over time, state leaders will need to consider how to fund transportation needs in a way that is sustainable, fair and responsive to growth.

Transportation Bills to Watch

Several transportation-related bills filed this session point to the range of issues lawmakers are now considering, from project delivery and financing tools to long-term infrastructure planning.

House Bill 1109, NCDOT STI Study Recommendation, would direct NCDOT to study the STI process, including project delivery performance, factors that delay projects and potential legislative changes to improve delivery. Importantly, this bill comes directly from the work of the newly formed House Select Committee on North Carolina’s Transportation Future, signaling that lawmakers are taking a serious look at whether the current project prioritization system is meeting the needs of a growing state. For Centralina, this is worth watching because changes to STI could affect how projects are scored, prioritized and ultimately funded across the region.

Senate Bill 1010, FUTURE NC Infrastructure Act, would create a North Carolina Infrastructure Investment Commission charged with developing a long-term statewide infrastructure investment plan. The plan would look beyond transportation alone and consider needs across transportation, water, wastewater, stormwater, resiliency and other critical systems over a 20-year horizon. This aligns closely with the regional reality that transportation, housing, water capacity, workforce access and economic development are all connected.

Senate Bill 862, STIP Grant Anticipation Notes, would allow local governments to use grant anticipation notes to accelerate certain STIP projects already identified for state or federal funding. In practical terms, this could give local governments another financing tool to move eligible transportation projects forward more quickly, subject to safeguards including Local Government Commission approval and an agreement with NCDOT.

Why It Matters for the Region

Together, these proposals underscore the importance of a strong regional voice in transportation policy. As North Carolina evaluates how to plan for growth, modernize its funding structure and deliver projects more effectively, Centralina will continue to advocate for solutions that recognize the needs of fast-growing communities and support a more connected, competitive and resilient region.