828.251.6622  |   mpo@landofsky.org

SPOT 7.0

THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR P 7.0 DRAFT PROJECT SUBMITTALS IS NOW OPEN AND WILL CLOSE ON OCTOBER 19TH AT 1:00PM

Public comment can be made using the form below. Comments can also be submitted via phone at (828)-251-6622, via email at mpo@landofsky.org, or at the October Board meeting (in-person or virtually) which will be held on October 19th at 1:00pm.


GET TO KNOW THE STRATEGIC TRANSPORTATION PROJECT PRIORITIZATION PROCESS (AKA: SPOT 7.0)

Strategic Prioritization Office OF Transportation (SPOT)

The Strategic Prioritization Process is a data-driven, transparent method for prioritizing transportation projects and is used to develop the State Transportation Improvement Program/ Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program(STIP/MTIP), which identify the projects that will be funded during a 10-year period. Prioritization scores all roadway, public transportation, bicycle & pedestrian, rail, ferry, and aviation projects based upon approved criteria.

The Prioritization Process (aka SPOT) is the process that determines the majority of capital improvement projects funded through NCDOT and NCDOT’s allotment of federal funds. The process is governed by the Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) Law of 2012 that provides the framework for a more data-driven and transparent process that also utilizes local input from NCDOT Divisions, MPOs, and RPOs. In relation to other aspects of transportation planning, the prioritization process serves as the bridge to determine what long-range needs are funded in the TIP/STIP for implementation.

P 7.0 refers to the seventh iteration of the prioritization process in North Carolina and will be the process that determines what new projects are funded in the 2026- 2035 TIP/STIP.

What’s Changed Between P 6.0 and P 7.0?

In sum, not a lot. The process is still very much the same with some modifications or “tweaks” that have changed how some projects will be scored and opened the process to more project types. Some of the more substantive changes include:

  • Microtransit is now an eligible submittal for transit funding
  • Rail Modernization is now an eligible submittal for rail funding
  • A minimum of 6% of funding will be programmed to non-highway (the previous minimum was 4%); 90% minimum for highway funding remains the same

Public Comment for SPOT 7.0 is open! Click HERE for the Draft Submittal List and info on how to submit Public Comment.

SPOT 7.0 Schedule

DATEEVENT
July 2023Local Government Discussion on Potential Submittals
August 2023Draft Submittal List (Board Action Required)
August – September 2023Public Comment on Draft Submittal List
October 2023Final Submittal List (Board Action Required)
March 2024Data Review
April 2024Local Input Point Methodology Adoption (Board Action Required)
May 2024Statewide Mobility Projects Programmed
June 2024Draft Local Input Assignment for Regional Impact Projects
June – July 2024Public Comment on Draft Local Input Point Assignment for Regional Impact Projects
July 2024Final Local Input Point Assignment for Regional Impact Projects
September 2024Regional Impact Projects Programmed
November 2024Draft Local Input Point Assignment for Division Needs Projects
November – December 2024Public Comment on Draft Local Input Point Assignment for Division Needs Projects
December 2024Final Local Input Point Assignment for Division Needs Projects
March 2025Draft 2026 – 2035 TIP/STIP Released
September 2025Final 2026 – 2035 TIP/STIP (Board Action Required)

For more information regarding the development of the 2026 – 2035 STIP click here.