HB 159 establishes a $75 million grant program within North Carolina's Department of Transportation to improve subdivision streets that don't meet state highway standards and aren't maintained by local governments. It directly affects counties and municipalities with these "orphan roads," providing funds for repairs up to $250,000 per subdivision, requiring a 25% local match (25 cents for every dollar awarded). Once roads meet standards, ownership transfers to the state or local government for ongoing maintenance. The program runs from July 2025 through June 2030, with unspent funds rolling over to the Highway Fund.
HB 232 appropriates $16.39 million from North Carolina's disaster relief fund to repair hurricane-damaged short-line railroads. The bill directly provides $14 million to Blue Ridge Southern Railroad for line restoration and $2.39 million to Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for track repairs, facility fixes, and lost revenue following Hurricane Helene. These funds are allocated through the Department of Transportation's Rail Division using the Freight Rail & Rail Safety Improvement Fund. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and focuses solely on direct financial assistance for specific rail infrastructure recovery.
SB 197 appropriates $3.5 million in one-time state funding from the General Fund for the renovation of the Smith Reynolds Airport Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangar in Forsyth County. The bill specifies the funds must cover structural repairs, HVAC upgrades, and infrastructure improvements at the hangar facility. It requires the Department of Transportation to submit quarterly reports on fund usage to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and Fiscal Research Division. The funding is allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and takes effect July 1, 2025.
This bill allows North Carolina local governments to borrow money to accelerate transportation projects already identified for funding under the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Local governments can issue "grant anticipation notes" to cover project costs before receiving state funds, but notes must mature within 12 months after the project's scheduled completion year (no renewals allowed). Borrowing is capped at the full project cost, requires a special agreement with the DOT outlining project details and repayment plans, and must be repaid solely from state grant funds - without using local tax revenue or pledging the government's credit. The bill also ensures STIP program changes won't delay repayment of these notes.
SB 168 reduces the speed limit to 25 miles per hour on residential streets in Durham City experiencing congestion, as determined by Durham's Transportation Department. It directly affects drivers operating vehicles on those specific residential streets within Durham. The bill establishes this new speed limit as the legal standard, overriding previous limits under state law for those designated streets. The law applies only to Durham and takes effect December 1, 2025, for offenses occurring on or after that date.
This bill appropriates $500,000 in one-time state funds to Durham County for repairing and improving "orphan roads" - roads in non-municipal areas that are not maintained by either the county or the state. The funds will allow Durham County to fix these roads, enabling the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to take over their maintenance as state roads. The bill directly affects Durham County residents living on these neglected roads by improving safety and upkeep, and it changes the responsibility for road maintenance from local to state oversight. The funding becomes effective July 1, 2025.
HB 282 amends North Carolina law to clarify that Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) funds can be used for independent bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects, such as bike lanes and sidewalks. It removes previous restrictions that prevented the Department of Transportation from funding such projects, except for specific cases like municipal matching funds for federal projects or projects already scheduled for construction by 2015. The bill directly affects local governments and municipalities seeking to use STI funds for non-vehicle transportation improvements. Key provisions rewrite two statutes to explicitly allow these projects, streamlining funding access for community-led bike and pedestrian initiatives. This change makes it easier for local entities to secure state transportation funds for walking and cycling infrastructure.
HB 285 appropriates $52.5 million from North Carolina's Highway Fund to the Southeast Regional Airport Authority for Laurinburg-Maxton Airport improvements. The funds are allocated specifically: $28 million for a runway extension, $15 million for general airport capital projects, and $9.5 million for water and sewer infrastructure. The bill requires quarterly spending reports to legislative committees and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 290 appropriates $545,588 in state funds to the Town of Pineville for a pedestrian hybrid beacon and crosswalk at Hwy 51 and Main St. near Town Hall. The bill directly affects Pineville residents and pedestrians by funding a safety infrastructure project to improve crossing conditions at this specific location. Key provisions include allocating nonrecurring state funds for construction, with the project aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and walkability in the town. The bill requires no new policy changes but provides targeted financial support for a local infrastructure improvement. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, pending legislative approval.
HB 221 authorizes the Town of Tabor City to access state and federal railroad revitalization programs to maintain or improve rail service to the town. The bill allows Tabor City to use local property taxes and up to 10% of project costs from town funds - matched by state funds under G.S. 136-44.38 - to support these programs. It specifically enables the town to contract with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for railroad improvements, with all provisions limited to Tabor City. This bill creates a framework for local funding participation but does not mandate specific rail upgrades or changes to existing service.
