
NCDOT seeks public input on 10-year transportation plan
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has released a draft of its next long-range transportation improvements plan for public review. The documents, including an online interactive “Draft 2026-2035 STIP Map,” show proposed DOT construction projects and can be viewed at https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/stip/development/Pages/resources.aspx.
The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) serves as NCDOT’s guide, detailing how and
when transportation projects will receive funding over the next 10 years. Projects scheduled in the first five years are generally set for delivery, while those in the latter half are funded for preliminary engineering only and will be re-evaluated when the next STIP is developed.
The plan proposes several DOT improvements in and around Kings Mountain and Cleveland County. These include a paving project from the east of SR 1318 (Kimbrell Road) to the east of NC 226 on the US 74 Shelby bypass and a paving and grading project from the east of NC 226 to the east of NC 150. Additionally, the plan lists replacing bridges 220048 and 220049 over Sandy Run on Hwy 74 near Boiling Springs. The DOT also plans a pavement rehabilitation project for I-85 from the Cleveland County line to mile marker 143.
The STIP's 10-year plan includes the reconstruction of the Piedmont Northern Railroad bridge, two Norfolk Southern Railroad bridges, and the SR 2213 (Grove Street) Bridge on I-85 over the NC-SC state line.
The plan further includes installing broadband communications along the Hwy 74 bypass in Kings Mountain.
The construction of a multi-use path for bikes and pedestrians is also slated for the Shelby Rail Trail, running from South Dekalb Street to Gardner Street and Graham Street to West Marion Street in Shelby.
The public comment period for the draft STIP for 2026 through 2035 is now open and runs through April 4. People can review the document and give feedback online by visiting http://www.ncdot.gov. Local NCDOT offices across the state will also hold weeklong drop-in review periods in the coming months so the public can ask questions and provide comments in person. Once schedules are finalized, more information on the times and locations of those meetings will be posted at http://www.ncdot.gov.
NCDOT typically updates the STIP every two years. The department uses data and local input to decide which projects get funded in the 10-year plan based on a specific formula created by the Strategic Transportation Investments law. This allows NCDOT to use its funding more efficiently to enhance North Carolina’s infrastructure, supporting economic growth, job creation, and a higher quality of life8.
Transportation officials plan to adopt the 2026-2035 STIP this summer.
For more information on the STIP process, visit the NCDOT webpage.
The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) serves as NCDOT’s guide, detailing how and
when transportation projects will receive funding over the next 10 years. Projects scheduled in the first five years are generally set for delivery, while those in the latter half are funded for preliminary engineering only and will be re-evaluated when the next STIP is developed.
The plan proposes several DOT improvements in and around Kings Mountain and Cleveland County. These include a paving project from the east of SR 1318 (Kimbrell Road) to the east of NC 226 on the US 74 Shelby bypass and a paving and grading project from the east of NC 226 to the east of NC 150. Additionally, the plan lists replacing bridges 220048 and 220049 over Sandy Run on Hwy 74 near Boiling Springs. The DOT also plans a pavement rehabilitation project for I-85 from the Cleveland County line to mile marker 143.
The STIP's 10-year plan includes the reconstruction of the Piedmont Northern Railroad bridge, two Norfolk Southern Railroad bridges, and the SR 2213 (Grove Street) Bridge on I-85 over the NC-SC state line.
The plan further includes installing broadband communications along the Hwy 74 bypass in Kings Mountain.
The construction of a multi-use path for bikes and pedestrians is also slated for the Shelby Rail Trail, running from South Dekalb Street to Gardner Street and Graham Street to West Marion Street in Shelby.
The public comment period for the draft STIP for 2026 through 2035 is now open and runs through April 4. People can review the document and give feedback online by visiting http://www.ncdot.gov. Local NCDOT offices across the state will also hold weeklong drop-in review periods in the coming months so the public can ask questions and provide comments in person. Once schedules are finalized, more information on the times and locations of those meetings will be posted at http://www.ncdot.gov.
NCDOT typically updates the STIP every two years. The department uses data and local input to decide which projects get funded in the 10-year plan based on a specific formula created by the Strategic Transportation Investments law. This allows NCDOT to use its funding more efficiently to enhance North Carolina’s infrastructure, supporting economic growth, job creation, and a higher quality of life8.
Transportation officials plan to adopt the 2026-2035 STIP this summer.
For more information on the STIP process, visit the NCDOT webpage.