Prioritization 7.0 (P7.0) will develop the 2026 2026-2035 TIP/STIP.
2026-2035 TIP Development
Background
Prioritization is NCDOT’s decision-making tool for developing the State Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is a listing of projects to be delivered within an upcoming ten-year work program. The STI legislation has created a high degree of collaboration between NCDOT and MPO’s in the development of their Transportation Improvement Program every two years through the Prioritization process. The current round is known as Prioritization 7.0 (or P7.0) and will develop the CRTPO’s 2026-2035 TIP.
CRTPO is involved in the nomination of projects for scoring by NCDOT, and the application of local input points based on its methodology. The NCDOT-Strategic Prioritization Office of Transportation (SPOT) leads this process by providing oversight to MPOs, RPOs, and Divisions throughout the state as well as scoring the projects.
Local Input Points from MPOs and NCDOT Divisions contribute to the final project scores for Regional Impact and Division Needs tier projects under P7.0 – (see STI legislation for more details). Projects with higher final scores have a greater chance of being programed into the TIP based upon the STI legislation.
CRTPO is eligible for allocating the following amount of local input points:
• 2,500 for Regional Impact category projects
• 2,500 for Division Needs category projects
Projects of all modes, including highway, bicycle/pedestrian, transit, and others are scored based on a combination of quantitative data and local input. The quantitative evaluation consists of criteria such as congestion and safety, and analyzing project benefits compared to cost, as well as expected economic impacts. Local input comes from the priorities of the local Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and NCDOT Division Offices through their adopted local input point methodologies. The CRTPO’s most recent local input point methodology can be viewed here.
Additional information can be found on NCDOT’s Strategic Transportation Investments webpage
The CRTPO Board endorsed the local input point assignment for Division Needs projects during their November 20, 2024 Board meeting.
Division Needs Local Input Point Assignment Public Comment Period
A 14-day public comment period opened October 17, 2024 and concluded at 5:00pm on October 31, 2024.
Division Needs highway projects consist of all secondary roads and federal-aid eligible local roads (i.e., Langtree Road, Ballantyne Commons Parkway, and Wesley Chapel-Stouts Road).
Division Needs projects also include Non-Highway projects such as aviation, rail, bicycle and pedestrian, and transit projects. Highway, aviation, rail, bicycle & pedestrian, and transit projects are all represented on the draft lists and maps below for Division Needs local input point assignment.
The CRTPO Board recommended local input point assignment for Division Needs projects to NCDOT for scoring in Prioritization 7.0 during the Wednesday, November 20, 2024, CRTPO Board meeting.
Division Needs Project Lists and Maps
Division Needs Tier P7.0 Local Input Points Assignment (Division 10 & 12) PDF Maps. Highway | Non-Highway
The CRTPO Board endorsed the local input point assignment for Regional Impact projects during their August 21, 2024 Board meeting.
Regional Impact Local Input Point Assignment Public Comment Period
The 14-day public comment period for the CRTPO’s local input point assignment for Regional Impact projects under NCDOT’s Prioritization 7.0 is now closed.
A 14-day public comment period opened July 18, 2024 and concluded at 5:00pm on August 1, 2024.
The CRTPO Board recommended local input point assignment for Regional Impact projects to NCDOT for scoring in Prioritization 7.0 during the Wednesday, August 21, 2024, CRTPO Board meeting.
Highway, aviation, rail, and transit projects are all represented on the draft lists and maps proposed for Regional Impact local input point assignment, and can be found below. Regional Impact highway projects consist of U.S. and North Carolina routes (i.e., US 21, US 521, NC 49, and NC 200); unfunded Statewide Mobility aviation and highway projects, as well as Regional Impact transit and rail projects.
Regional Impact Project Lists and Maps
Regional Impact Tier P7.0 Local Input Points Assignment (Regions E+F) PDF Maps. Highway | Non-Highway
DRAFT P7.0 NCDOT Project Scores and Local Point Assignment
NCDOT’s SPOT office released the DRAFT P7.0 2026-2035 TIP Scores on May 24, 2024. P7.0 Projects were categorized into one of three funding tiers (Statewide Mobility, Regional Impact, and Division Needs). Over the next few months, the CRTPO will be responsible for assigning local input points for Regional Impact and Division Needs projects.
Local Input Points from MPOs and NCDOT Divisions contribute to the final project scores for Regional Impact and Division Needs tier projects under P7.0 – (see STI legislation for more details). Projects with higher final scores have a greater chance of being programed into the TIP based upon the STI legislation.
CRTPO is eligible for allocating the following amount of local input points:
• 2,500 for Regional Impact category projects
• 2,500 for Division Needs category projects
Statewide Mobility
Statewide Mobility Project Scores
Regional Impact
Regional Impact Project Scores
Division Needs
Division Needs Project Scores
Local Input Point Methodology
The STI legislation requires that MPOs in North Carolina must develop an adopt a methodology for assigning its local input points as part of the NCDOT Prioritization process.
The methodology must contain two criteria (one must be qualitative) for determining project prioritization. In addition, the methodology must contain a public engagement strategy during the local input points process that is consistent with the MPO’s Public Involvement Plan.
The CRTPO’s adopted Local Input Points Methodology for NCDOT Prioritization 7.0 can be viewed here.
The CRTPO Board approved the P7.0 project lists during their August 16, 2023 Board meeting.
P7.0 Project Submittal Project Lists and Maps
The CRTPO’s project inventory lists can be viewed within the links below by mode. The CRTPO receives 49 project submittals within each mode. Project lists were approved by CRTPO Board on August 16, 2023.
P7.0 Project Submittal Public Comment Period
A 30-day public comment period was held from June 22, 2023 through July 22, 2023, on all transportation modes project lists that were proposed for submission for NCDOT Prioritization 7.0. A summary of the public comments received are available here.
The CRTPO Board is approved the submission of projects for all modes to NCDOT for scoring in Prioritization 7.0 during the Wednesday, August 16, 2023, meeting.
Residents also had the opportunity to comment on the proposed project lists in person during the CRTPO Board meeting on August 16, 2023. The meetings are held in Room 267 of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center beginning at 6 p.m. Please follow the process outlined on the Public Comments webpage to provide verbal comments during the CRTPO Board meeting. Those who wish to speak are required to sign up at least five minutes prior to the start of the meeting.
2026-2035 TIP Development Schedule (NCDOT Prioritization 7.0)
| Task | Anticipated Schedule |
|---|---|
| NCDOT P7.0 Project Submission Window | July 2023 – October 2023 |
| P7.0 Project List Public Comment Period | June 22, 2023 – July 22, 2023 |
| P7.0 Project List presented to TCC for recommendation | August 3, 2023 |
| P7.0 Project List presented to CRTPO Board for approval | August 16, 2023 |
| SPOT Office reviews and scores all projects submitted throughout NC | November 2023 – April 2024 |
| SPOT Office releases Quantitative Scores & Statewide Mobility Programmed Projects | May 2024 |
| P7.0 Regional Impact Local Input Point Assignment Window | May 2024 – August 2024 |
| P7.0 Regional Impact Local Input Point Assignment Public Comment Period | July 18 – August 1, 2024 |
| CRTPO Board endorses P7.0 Regional Impact Local Input Point Assignment | August 21, 2024 |
| SPOT Office releases Regional Impact Total Scores & Programmed Projects | September 2024 |
| CRTPO Board endorses P7.0 Division Needs Local Input Point Assignment | November 20, 2024 |
| Division Needs Local Input Point Assignment. | September 2024 to November 2024 |
| Draft 2026-2035 STIP Released | January 31, 2025 |
| Draft 2026-2035 STIP Adoption Phase | February 2025 – June 2025 |
| Final STIP Approval | Summer 2025 |
STI Legislation
Passed in 2013, the Strategic Transportation Investments law allows the NCDOT to use its funding more efficiently and effectively to enhance the state’s infrastructure while supporting economic growth, job creation, and a higher quality of life. This process encourages thinking from a statewide and regional perspective while also providing flexibility to address local needs.
STI also establishes the Strategic Mobility Formula, which allocates available revenues based on data-driven scoring and local input. It is used to develop NCDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program, which identifies the transportation projects that will receive funding during a specified 10-year period.
The STI Legislation (§ 136-189, Article 14B) can be viewed here