THE PROBLEM

The North Carolina Highway Trust Fund is outdated, inflexible and unable to meet its original goals. New road construction projects outpace the badly needed repairs to our existing highway infrastructure and hinder the use of new, more convenient, accessible and affordable forms of transportation.

This outdated policy has resulted in declining air and water quality and a loss of open space and farmland. It has made it more difficult for many of our citizens to get to jobs and services, while at the same time resulting in the displacement of families and communities as they are forced to make way for new and often unnecessary roads. In addition, this policy fails to provide pedestrian and bicycle-friendly options within communities, thereby reducing physical activity and adversely impacting the health of our citizens.

THE SOLUTION

North Carolina needs real transportation choices that serve everyone. This can only be achieved by transforming the Highway Trust Fund into a more flexible and responsive Transportation Trust Fund.

PRINCIPLES

• Transportation policy should enhance public health, safety, and security. 
• Transportation policy should promote social equity and livable communities.
• Transportation policy should protect our natural resources, including open space and air and water quality. 

GOALS

• To promote these principles, we, the Citizens for Transportation Alternatives, support restructuring North Carolina's Highway Trust Fund into a "Transportation Trust Fund," such that:
• Local communities have more equitable and consistent opportunities for participation in how transportation dollars are used. There should be particular attention paid to involving community members and elected officials typically left out of the process.
• Multiple modes of transportation (such as light-rail, bike or pedestrian paths, and clean-fueled buses) are given priority funding and equal status with highway projects.
• All segments of society are served by the transportation system.
• The impacts on the availability of affordable housing and access to jobs and services are considered in all funding decisions.
• Priority is given to maintenance needs before new road or widening projects.