Transportation Planning
Under North Carolina general statutes, Henderson County does not maintain any roads for public purpose.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) maintains the majority of public roads in the State. The state-maintained road system in North Carolina includes over 79,000 miles of roadway. NCDOT conducts all planning, design, and construction of roadways in Henderson County. NCDOT coordinates much of its transportation planning efforts for the County through the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Henderson County is part of this MPO which includes Henderson, Buncombe, and Haywood Counties and each of their municipalities. Henderson County, like all local governments in the MPO, participates in the preparation and prioritizing of project lists for the:
- Comprehensive Transportation Plan for French Broad River MPO and Rural Areas of Buncombe, Haywood, and Henderson Counties, which serves as a vision for the future transportation system (adopted January 18, 2008);
- The Metropolitan Transportation Plan(MTP, previously known as LRTP) looks 25 years into the future, forecasts changes in the region, and seeks to identify needed transportation improvements and how to pay for those improvements.
- Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) lists projects proposed for the next seven (7) years.
Beyond the MPO process, Henderson County also works directly with NCDOT. County staff works with NCDOT district and local county engineers on projects within the County by providing feedback and keeping track of project progress. The Planning Department manages Apple Country Public Transit; contact Janna Bianculli with any questions. Henderson County has an appointed Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC is comprised mostly of local government MPO representatives who meet regularly to:
- Discuss local transportation issues;
- Receive updates from the NCDOT district engineer regarding progress on projects (Transportation Improvements Projects (TIP) and secondary road projects); and
- Take input from the public regarding its concerns and issues related to transportation.
The French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO) Draft P8 Project Submittal List
What is P8/the Prioritization Process?
The Prioritization Process (also known as P8 or “SPOT”) is a “data-driven and transparent” process in North Carolina that determines what transportation improvement projects are selected for funding. The process is structured by the Strategic Highway Investments Act of 2012 and involves NCDOT, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs), along with local government partners, public transit providers, airports, and others.
What are “Project Submittals”?
Every NCDOT Division, MPO, and RPO is given a set number of projects they may submit- by transportation mode- to the prioritization process for consideration. Once these organizations submit their projects, the projects are given a quantitative score based on data points, and (potentially) considered for local input points from NCDOT Divisions, MPOs, and RPOs, and the highest scoring projects are programmed based on available funding.
How Can I Comment on What Projects the MPO is Planning to Submit?
The French Broad River MPO’s public comment period runs from August 22nd to September 17th (2025). Comments may be submitted via:
- Email: mpo@landofsky.org
- Phone: 828.251.7454
- Mail: 339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140; Asheville, NC 28806
- In-Person: MPO Board Meeting at Land of Sky Regional Council (same address as above) on Thursday, September 18th at 1:00 PM
Public Comment Period for Safe Streets for WNC Draft Safety Action Plan has CLOSED
The French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO) and Land of Sky Rural Planning Organization (LOSRPO) are pleased to announce the release of the Safe Streets for WNC Draft Safety Action Plan (SSWNC) for public review and comment. This plan is a regional effort to help reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries across Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties.
Developed in collaboration with local governments, NCDOT, transportation partners, and community organizations, the Draft SSWNC Safety Action Plan outlines key strategies, data-driven priorities, and targeted improvements to make streets safer for everyone, whether walking, biking, driving, or using transit.
The public comment period closed August 20th, 2025. Residents, commuters, and community members were encouraged to review the draft plan and share feedback.
Though the window for public comment has closed, Storymaps, timelines, and fact sheets related to the SSWNC Draft Action Plan are available on the project webpage.
The final Safety Action Plan will incorporate community input and guide future investments and policies aimed at preventing crashes and saving lives.
Contacting the NCDOT (North Carolina Department of Transportation)
NCDOT Headquarters are located at 1 South Wilmington Street in Raleigh, NC. NCDOT Customer Service Office answers the toll-free customer service line, 1-877-DOT-4YOU, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours as necessary for emergencies.
NCDOT also has 14 regional offices. The regional office contact for Henderson County maintenance projects is Lonnie Watkins, P.E.
Lonnie Watkins, P.E., District Engineer
4142 Haywood Road
Horse Shoe, NC 28742
Phone: (828) 891-7911
Fax: (828) 891-5026
Want to find out about road paving or resurfacing? watch a youtube presentation or Click here to see the related powerpoint.
Contacting the NCDMV (North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles)
For answers to questions about DMV issues such as driver license renewal or vehicle registration, call (919) 715-7000.
