N.C. transportation needs set to change with state's growth
By Kristy Bock, Neuse News
North Carolina is expected to see an additional 4 million residents by 2050. This 51 percent growth rate will require implementing changes over the next few decades to ensure our infrastructure can support all our residents.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) website, N.C. Moves 2050 is focused on creating a more responsive, diverse and inclusive transportation system for keeping people and freight moving safely and efficiently.
Natasha Earle-Young of the NCDOT said NC Moves 2050 is an exciting opportunity for residents to help NCDOT decide what transportation should look like 30 years from now. What comes out of this plan now will shape our reality one day.
Residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinion on the future of N.C.’s transportation system by participating now.
There are several different ways for the public to get involved. The NCDOT is currently promoting Table Topics, a small group gathering hosted by residents to discuss transportation priorities and concerns for the future. Anyone interested in signing up to be a host should do so by April 30. If anyone would like a NCDOT representative to lead the discussion, please let them know by emailing at ncmoves@ncdot.gov.
Lenoir County Transportation Director Angie Greene said the N.C. Moves 2050 plan is an excellent opportunity for our citizens to express the specific needs and challenges of our community, giving them a chance for their voices to be heard. During the development of this plan, offering input is crucial in identifying potential deficiencies in areas such as funding and services, and determining the need for additional funding and expansion of services for Lenoir County Transit.
Fundamentally, Lenoir County Transit's goal is to promote economic growth and ultimately enhance quality of life for our citizen's and our future generations. She is optimistic that the NC Moves 2050 plan will have a positive impact on Lenoir County and our region.
The NCDOT maintains more than 80,000 miles of highway, second only to Texas. North Carolina also has more than 3,000 miles of freight railway.
The 30-year NC Moves 2050 Plan will go through five phases. The first phase was a review of the current state of transportation in North Carolina. The second phase will review the challenges and opportunities impacting the state.
The third phase addresses what future scenarios might arise from those challenges and prepare for what might take place because of them. The fourth phase will address policies and procedures that may need to be implemented due to those scenarios.
The final phase will be the plan rolling out and implementing it.
Residents that would like to be involved in this planning process can find more information at http://www.NCDOT.gov/NCMoves.
