Governor Pat McCrory has announced that the N.C. Department of Transportation is distributing more than $147 million to 508 cities and towns throughout North Carolina to support municipalities in the maintenance, repair, construction, reconstruction, widening or improving of roads, in addition to the planning, construction and maintenance of bikeways, greenways and sidewalks. The first half of the funding through the Powell Bill fund was dispersed on September 28, and the rest will be distributed by December 30.

 

"I am pleased that these funds will help hundreds of communities upgrade or repair their transportation systems and fulfill our goal of better connecting North Carolinians to jobs, education, healthcare, recreation and each other," said Governor McCrory. "These improvements will benefit residents and visitors through safety upgrades, increased connectivity and new economic opportunities."

 

The 2015 budget signed into law by Governor McCrory increased the amount of Powell Bill funding to $147.5 million per year, as opposed to past years when funding was in part determined by gas tax revenue.

 

Twenty-two cities will receive at least $1 million. The amount each municipality receives is based on a formula set by the N.C. General Assembly, with 75 percent of the funds based on population, and 25 percent based on the number of locally maintained street miles.

 

The fund is named for Junius K. Powell, a former state senator and mayor of Whiteville, who was a primary sponsor of the 1951 bill to help the state's cities with urban road problems. The first allocation of Powell Bill funds was for $4.5 million and was distributed to 386 cities and towns.