STIP and MTIP
The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) identifies projects for all modes of transportation that will receive funding from over a ten-year period. This plan is developed under the 2013 Strategic Transportation Investments law and consists of projects across the state. Most of these projects are scored using a data-driven approach called Strategic Prioritization.
The Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) is a subset of the STIP identifying projects within a specific region such as the New Bern Area MPO. The MTIP and STIP must align with each other. The public is encouraged to participate throughout the development of both plans to express opinions, concerns, and feedback on proposed projects.
Once each plan is adopted, both plans are modified or amended until such time a new plan is adopted. This occurs typically every two years as a result of Strategic Prioritization.
2026-2035 MTIP
The 2026-2035 STIP and MTIP were developed using the Prioritization 7 (P7) cycle. Projects were submitted in July of 2023 and public comment was solicited. Projects were submitted for consideration in October 2023. After a scoring review was completed, quantitative scores were released and projects selected. The initial draft STIP was released in January 2025. After the draft STIP was released, partner MPOs and RPOs were able to provide feedback as well as members of the public.
The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) adopted the 2026-2035 MTIP on July 24, 2025. The Board of Transportation adopted the STIP July 2025. This plan is pending approval from FHWA late 2025.
2028-2037 MTIP Development -
Prioritization 8.0 (P8)
The prioritization process is a data-driven, transparent method for prioritizing transportation investment decisions and is used to develop the STIP and MTIP. Potential improvement projects are submitted to NCDOT to be scored and ranked at statewide, regional, and division levels based on approved criteria, including safety, congestion, cost-benefit, and local priorities. The scores, along with other factors, are used to determine if a project receives funding. The current round (P8) began July 2025 and will conclude the summer of 2027 with the adoption of the final 2028-2037 STIP.