In North Carolina, eight areas will receive a boost for their transportation plans, with the N.C. Department of Transportation is awarding $401,000 in grants. This funding will support improvements in bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit facilities. The grants come from the Multimodal Planning Grant program, which uses state and federal funds to aid planning, according to the NCDOT press release.
This financial support, a combination of $112,000 in state funds and $289,000 in federal State Planning and Research Funds, aims to not only expand local transportation options but also increase safety across the state's network. The selection process for these grants was based on the application's level of detail and local necessity. This year, every application submitted was approved.
For 2024, grant recipients include Alexander and Lenoir Counties, alongside six municipalities—from the City of Salisbury to the Town of Southport—each with plans to bolster their respective modes of travel. These grants fall under the oversight of NCDOT's Integrated Mobility Division and Transportation Planning Division, consistent with their advocacy for more integrated transportation options.
Since its inception in 2004, the grant program has disbursed approximately $9 million, catalyzing transportation planning in 266 municipalities and eight counties across North Carolina. This long-term investment has yielded fruit, translating into roughly 220 projects that were submitted for state transportation funding consideration.
For those interested in learning more about the grants or the Integrated Mobility Division's efforts, additional information can be found on the NCDOT's website.
