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Renewed

Imagine living in a world where your small hometown is buzzing with activity. Old buildings in downtown are being converted to new office space, shops and restaurants. Specialty stores sell locally made products to customers across the state and around the world. People from larger cities are moving into your neighborhood and more communities are being built to serve the needs of retirees and older citizens. Traffic is picking up as small trucks frequently deliver packages to businesses and homes. Electric shuttles, vans and buses take some people to medical appointments, sporting events and concerts while others are walking to parks or riding bicycles on sidewalks and new trails. More people work from home because of access to high-speed communication, and local businesses serve customers through on-demand orders.

Your small hometown, along with many others, has become a popular destination to live, work and play.

Click on the following places to learn more about what the future may look like in each area.

Path to 2050

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Move into the Renewed future by selecting the button below.

2020

  • North Carolina’s Hometown Strong initiative is coordinating more resources and projects to invest in revitalizing small towns.
  • Rural areas in North Carolina are benefiting from a telework economy to bring new industries and talents to smaller communities.
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2030

  • Population growth and increased travel are expected to result in nearly $110 billion dollars in statewide transportation needs by 2030. Additional investments in highway capacity and stronger, longer-lasting bridges/pavement make up almost one-third of this estimate.
  • However, if a portion of new residents and businesses move to small towns and rural communities faster than expected, North Carolina’s transportation system may require a denser, more redundant network of roads and other non-highway transportation options in and around these rural areas.
  • More resources will be required to manage roadway and bridge capacity and assets on surrounding secondary roads due to increased rural truck traffic.
  • Specialized and targeted transportation for aging citizens (who represent a growing percentage of the local population) will require partnerships, resources and more coordinated planning to develop.
  • Such a scenario could result in up to a 10 percent increase in anticipated transportation needs through 2030 and require a greater focus on expanding and strengthening connections between rural and urban areas.

2030

If this renewed future is realized in the next 10 years, what choices would you make differently from today?

How would those choices be influenced by more convenient, affordable and environmentally friendly transportation options?

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2050

  • Many small- to medium-size communities are established as economic growth centers in North Carolina. Their populations and economies are diversifying, and many are the headquarters of new companies with specialties in manufacturing, agricultural processing, automation and other support services.
  • Local companies employ contract employees who work flexible hours and from home, changing transportation demand and travel patterns.
  • Locally produced parts and goods are generated through 3D printing and shipped directly from manufacturers, while lighter goods are delivered by drone to and from locations across these communities.
  • Statewide vehicle miles traveled increase slightly more than the 2050 trend due to some population migration and increased use of transportation options. More driverless vehicles operate on major routes and more people use transit and long-distance services.
  • By 2050, North Carolina’s transportation needs are higher than the trend but not as high as the Globally Connected future. These needs are driven by more freight traffic on smaller, rural, two-lane roads and higher demand for multiple modes of short- and long-distance transportation to support the growth of new economies and activity centers across the state.

2050

If this renewed future is realized by 2050, what choices would you make differently from today?

How would your choices be impacted by urban versus small town differences and available transportation options?

Do you think this future may take longer to realize? Would the transportation system be diverse and capable enough to support new economically-viable areas of the state?

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Renewed
Strategies & Actions

To prepare for this potential future, the NC Moves 2050 Plan proposes a set of objectives, strategies and actions that aim to provide a responsive, diverse and inclusive transportation system.

Objectives – Overarching investment strategies and policy themes to address multiple needs.

Strategies – Guiding principles to carry out the objectives consistent with NCDOT goals, executive priorities and NC Moves 2050 goals.

Actions – Specific planning, policy and partnership recommendations to prepare North Carolina’s transportation system for future change. Each action will be implemented in one of three tiers, based on the readiness, risk, resources and partnerships for each action. Tier 1 actions will be fully implemented in the next ten year and are already being implemented, have planning or strategy development underway, require minor resources, and follow commitment with recent plans. Tier 2 actions focus on the next 20 years until 2040. Tier 3 actions look even further out to the next 30 years until 2050.

Click on each objective to learn about the strategies and actions that NCDOT will take to address the Renewed Future.

Return to Innovative Future Explore the Globally Connected Future

Implementation of NC Moves 2050

NCDOT is working closely with partners and stakeholders to identify resources and staff support that will make these actions real and effective. As with any planning endeavor, these changes will not occur overnight but require steady, disciplined progress and accountability to achieve and realize results.

Click here to learn more about the Implementation Plan for NC Moves 2050

3/24/2026 8:38 AM