The N.C. Department of Transportation has received national recognition for its role in developing regional transportation plans in the western part of the state.
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation has garnered national attention for its role in helping develop a pair of regional transportation plans.
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) recognized the NCDOT Transportation Planning Division and the Foothills and Northwest Piedmont Rural Planning Organizations for their joint effort to create Comprehensive Transportation Plans (CTPs) for these western regions. The three entities were presented with an Excellence in Regional Transportation Award during the 2025 NADO National Regional Transportation Conference in July.
“This recognition highlights our efforts on two Regional Comprehensive Transportation Plans and reflects the strong partnerships and planning work across our region," said Andy Bailey, NCDOT's Western Piedmont Planning Group Supervisor.
CTPs are long-range, needs-based transportation plans that represent consensus by various stakeholders on the future of a transportation system, looking 25-30 years into the future.
Required by state law, CTPs are developed cooperatively by NCDOT, municipalities, counties, metropolitan/rural planning organizations, community stakeholders and the public. The end product is a plan that uses data-driven analysis and public input to identify the transportation needs of a given area and provide realistic multi-modal proposals that address those needs.
The Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards showcase organizations for noteworthy projects and practices in rural and small metropolitan transportation planning, program delivery, and special initiatives.
These two regional CTPs are able to incorporate strategic considerations areawide, with each covering three counties and their member jurisdictions. For the Foothills RPO, the CTP includes McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford counties and for the Northwest Piedmont RPO, the CTP includes Davie, Surry, and Yadkin counties.
“The Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards program showcases effective and creative transportation initiatives that improve accessibility, mobility, safety, and quality of life in regions around the United States," said NADO President and Executive Director of Region XII Council of Governments Rick Hunsaker. “Programs and projects like these two in North Carolina foster community and economic connections and promote effective transportation networks."