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SPOT 7.0

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

IMPORTANT: Regional Impact Point Assignments

Final Regional Impact point assignments will go before the MPO board on August 15th, 2024 at 1pm

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
May 2024Local Input Point Methodology Adoption (Board Action Required)
May 2024Statewide Mobility Projects Programmed
June 2024Draft Local Input Assignment for Regional Impact Projects
June – August 2024Public Comment on Draft Local Input Point Assignment for Regional Impact Projects
August 2024Final Local Input Point Assignment for Regional Impact Projects
September 2024Regional Impact Projects Programmed
September 2024Draft Local Input Point Assignment for Division Needs Projects
September – November 2024Public Comment on Draft Local Input Point Assignment for Division Needs Projects
November 2024Final Local Input Point Assignment for Division Needs Projects
January 2025Draft 2026 – 2035 TIP/STIP Released
June 2025Final 2026 – 2035 TIP/STIP (Board Action Required)
Click Here for a Printable Schedule

Click Here to see the Local Input Point Methodology for P7

P7 Public Survey Report


SPOT 7.0 Project Submittals

Below is a complete list of new projects that were submitted by the MPO in October 2023 to compete for funding the SPOT process.

Click Here to See Buncombe County Project Submittals

New Highway Submittals

RouteFromToImprovement TypeFunding Tier
Peachtree Road ExtensionPeachtree RoadUS 25 Alt (Sweeten Creek Rd)New LocationDivision Needs
Us 25 (Hendersonville Rd)NC 146 (Long Shoals Rd)NC 280 (Airport Rd)Access ManagementRegional Impact
US 25 (McDowell St)/Biltmore Ave)Vanderbilt RdCollege StRoadway Upgrade: Unbalanced Couplet with Bike LanesRegional Impact
US 70 (Tunnel Rd)/Us 74A (South Tunnel Rd)Beaucatcher TunnelUS 74 Alt (South Tunnel Rd)Roadway Upgrade: Road Diet with Intersection ImprovementsRegional Impact
US 70 (Tunnel Rd) I-240 Blue Ridge ParkwayAccess MangementRegional Impact
Us 25 (Merrimon Ave)/Us 19 Business (Weaverville Hwy)Elkmont RdNew Stock RdModernizationRegional Impact
US 25 (Merrimon Ave)Wembley DriveI-240Roadway UpgradeRegional Impact
US 70 (West State St)Blue Ridge RdNC 9Road DietRegional Impact
Blue Ridge RdNC 9Blue Ridge Assembly RdModernizationDivision Needs
Reems Creek RdUS 19 Business (Weaverville Hwy)Ox Creek RdModernizationDivision Needs
Cane Creek RdUS 74 Alt (Charlotte Hwy)Mills Gap RdModernizationDivision Needs
Old Fort RdUS 74 Alt (Charlotte Hwy)Whitaker RdModernizationDivision Needs
Sand Hill RdSand Hill School RdIntersection ImprovementDivision Needs
NC 63 (New Leicester Hwy)Newfound RdGouges Branch RdMultiple Intersection ImprovementsRegional Impact

New Bicycle/Pedestrian Submittals

All Bike/Ped Submittals are Evaluated at the Division Needs Category

RouteFromToProject Description
Reed Creek GreenwayFuture I-26WT Weaver Blvd3 – On-Road Designated Bicycle Facility
US 70 (Tunnel Rd)New Haw Creek RdBlue Ridge Rd7 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
Reed Creek Greenway ConnectorReed Creek GreenwaySR 3602 (Clingman Ave)4 – On-Road Bicycle Facility
NC 251 (Riverside Dr)Future I-26Woodfin Ave7 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
Lake Julian GreenwayFrench Broad RiverLake Julian2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
Fairview RdSwannanoa River RdSchool Rd7 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
Patton AveOld Haywood RdJohnston Blvd7 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
Merrimon AveLake LouiseBrown St7 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
Bent Creek GreenwayWNC Farmers MarketAsheville Outlets2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
Old Haywood Rd SidewalksUs 19/23/74 (Patton Ave)US 19/23/74 (Smokey Park Hwy)7 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
Bent Creek GreenwayHominy Creek GreenwayFrench Broad River Greenway2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
North Louisiana AveMallard DrAdams Hill Rd7 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
SR 2500 (North Blue Ridge Rd)US 70Fortune St7 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
Reems Creek GreenwayQuarry RdKarpen Soccer Field2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility

New Transit Submittals

All Transit Submittals are Evaluated at the Division Needs Category

Route / Facility / Project NameFrom / Cross Street / LocationDescriptionSpecific Improvement Type
Transit Maintenance FacilityCity of Asheville Service Area. Location is not yet knownConstruct a new maintenance
facility in order to
accommodate additional
vehicles and address current
maintenance facility capacity
through a facility assessment.
9 – Facility – Maintenance
Expansion VehiclesCity of Asheville Service AreaTen (10) expansion vehicles to
match service in the Transit
Master Plan and improve
service throughout the City by
increasing headways and
implementing new routes
1 – Mobility (Route-Specific) – New Service
Transit Multimodal Facility City of Asheville Service Area and routes provided by ART Current transit facility is Coxe AveConstruct a new transit
multimodal facility to
accommodation vehicles that
pick-up and drop transit
riders.
5 – Facility – Passenger Station

New Rail Submittals

All Rail Submittals are Evaluated at the Division Needs Category

RouteFromToImprovement Type
Norfolk Southern LineNC 251 (Riverside Dr)3 – Highway Rail Crossing Improvement
Norfolk Southern LineAsheville (Near Biltmore Village)Salisbury, NC5 – Passenger Rail Service
Norfolk Southern LineBlue Ridge RdNew Grade Separated Crossing
Click Here to See Haywood County Project Submittals

New Highway Submittals

RouteFromToImprovement TypeFunding Tier
US 19/23Chestnut Mountain RdNC 215Roadway UpgradeRegional Impact
US 19 (Carolina Blvd)Smathers StPleasant Hill RdAccess ManagementRegional Impact
US 19 (Dellwood Rd)Dayton DrUS 23/74Access ManagementRegional Impact
US 276Raccoon RdNC 110ModernizationRegional Impact

New Bicycle/Pedestrian Submittals

All Bike/Ped Submittals are Evaluated at the Division Needs Category

RouteFromToProject Description
US 19/23 Bridge StChestnut Mountain Rd2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
Champion DrN Canton RdThickety Rd2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
Richland Creek GreenwayCurrent Richland
Creek Greenway
termini near
Waynesville Rec
Center
Waynesville Greenway2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
Raccoon Creek GreenwayWaynesville GreenwayJunaluska Elementary School2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility

New Transit Submittals

All Transit Submittals are Evaluated at the Division Needs Category

Route / Facility / Project NameFrom / Cross Street / LocationDescriptionSpecific Improvement Type
Transit Multimodal Facility Haywood Public TransitTransfer Building with
Bathrooms and Side Small
Vehicle Maintenance
Capabilities
5 – Facility – Passenger Station
Expansion VehiclesHaywood Public TransitTwo (2) Expansion Vehicles1 – Mobility (Route-Specific) – New Service
Click Here to See Henderson County Project Submittals

New Highway Submittals

RouteFromToImprovement TypeFunding Tier
US 25 Business (Asheville Hwy)N Main StIntersection ImprovementRegional Impact
US 25 Business (Asheville Hwy)Butler Bridge RdIntersection ImprovementRegional Impact
US 176 (Spartanburg Hwy)NC 225Upward RdAccess ManagementRegional Impact
US 64 (Chimney Rd)Fruitland RdGilliam Mountain RdModernizationRegional Impact
Fanning Bridge RdUS 25NC 280Improve Multiple IntersectionsDivision Needs
White Pine DrUS 64Hebron RdModernizationDivision Needs
Blythe StUS 64NC 191ModernizationDivision Needs

New Bicycle/Pedestrian Submittals

All Bike/Ped Submittals are Evaluated at the Division Needs Category

RouteFromToProject Description
Above the Mud Greenway ConnectorEcusta TrailOklawaha Greenway2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
Mills River Valley TrailNC 191NC 1912 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
Oklawaha Greenway Extension Oklawaha Greenway Southern TerminiBlue Ridge Community College2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
Allen Branch GreenwayUS 64Clear Creek Greenway2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility
Brooklyn AveNC 225Old Spartanburg Hwy7 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
Church & King StUS 176N Main St8 – Multi-Site Pedestrian Facility
Fanning Bridge RdUnderwood RdUS 257 – Protected Linear Pedestrian Facility
Click Here to See Madison County Project Submittals

New Highway Submittals

RouteFromToImprovement TypeFunding Tier
NC 213Athletic StGabriel’s Creek RdAccess ManagementRegional Impact

New Bicycle/Pedestrian Submittals

All Bike/Ped Submittals are Evaluated at the Division Needs Category

RouteFromToProject Description
Bailey/Banjo Branch GreenwayDr. Otis T Duck Greenway Northern TerminiBailey St2 – Off-Road/Separated Linear Bicycle Facility

To see the list of carryover projects (projects submitted in prior rounds of SPOT that were not awarded funding, that will compete alongside new submittals for funding in SPOT 7.0) click here


For more information on NCDOT’s SPOT Process click here

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