The Gaston-Cleveland-Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization

🚦Gaston County residents — now is your chance to comment on transportation improvements!

🚊The second and final round of public input for the Gaston County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) is NOW OPEN! Share your thoughts on highways, bicycle & pedestrian projects, and public transportation & rail. 🚲

📍The online survey is open through February 13, 2026. Details are on the flyer!

Gaston County Online Survey: https://engagegaston.com/gaston-ctp

We Want Your Input! Join The Movement For Safer Streets!

Help shape a safer transportation future for Gastonia by completing the Safety Action Plan survey and mapping activity!

You can access the survey by scanning the QR code on the flyer or by visiting - https://engage.publiccoordinate.com/project/gastonia-ss4a-sap

Please share the flyer with family, friends, and neighbors — every response helps us better understand where safety improvements are needed most.

THE GASTON-CLEVELAND-LINCOLN METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (GCLMPO)
HAS ESTABLISHED A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE FOLLOWING:

2024-2033 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) AMENDMENTS
DRAFT 2026-2035 TIP
2050 METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN (MTP) AMENDMENTS
DRAFT AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY DETERMINATION REPORT
2055 METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN (MTP) DRAFT FISCALLY- CONSTRAINED PROJECT LISTS

The documents will be available for review and public comments will be received from
August 1 – 30, 2025.

Link to 2055 MTP Public Online Form:

2055 GCLMPO MTP - July 2025 Online Form The OneMap SDI template can be used to connect multiple organizations to collaborate and share with internal and external stakeholders.

2025 Joint MPO Roundtable

Panel Discussion: Importance of Regional Collaboration on Transportation Funding for the Business Community

Panel:
* Joe Bost, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Chief Advocacy Officer
* Patrick Mumford, Gaston Business Association, President/CEO
* Tony Lathrop, NCDOT Division 12, NC Board of Transportation

Local Success Stories

* Microtransit: Randi Gates, City of Gastonia, Director of Transportation

Talking Points:
- How Gastonia went from 6 fixed routes to Microtransit
- Microtransit Benefits (rides are scheduled, wait times reduced, more cost efficient vehicles, ease of transiting to a regional area)
- Microtransit Launched on July 1,2024
- Can get a ride anywhere within the city limits of Gastonia
- The successes of GoGastonia (rides completed 98,815 through Feb. 20th, recorded day 2/14 at 779 rides, pickup time 21.4 minutes)
- Talked about the growth pressures - additional vehicles, increased van hours, and increased fare.

* Safe Streets and Roads for All: Will Snyder, CRTPO, Project Implementation Planner

Talking Points:
- Discussed the Safety Plan steps CRTPO took
- Awarded $3.15 M
- Currently on a monthly basis have scope of work focus group meetings
- Talked about Lessons Learned

At 6:00 PM, we officially begin the 2025 MPO Roundtable with Andy Grzymski, Regional Mobility Program Manager at Centralina Regional Council, along with-
Councilmember Tommy Greene – GCLMPO Chair

Key Talking Points from Tommy Greene
1. Importance of Coordination: Highlight the growing importance of collaboration between GCLMPO and CRTPO, with an emphasis on building trust and sharing information through this sixth annual Joint MPO Roundtable Meeting.
2. Recognition of North Carolina Board of Transportation Representatives: Acknowledge the presence and ongoing support of Stephen Rosenburgh, Brad Lail, and Tony Lathrup from the NC Board of Transportation.
3. Regional Projects Collaboration: Emphasize the successful joint efforts on regional projects like CONNECT Beyond and Catawba Crossings, and the importance of coordination for projects such as the I-85/I-485 interchange and Wilkinson Bridge improvement.
4. Focus on Transportation Funding: Address the critical topic of transportation funding, encourage active participation and engagement, and highlight the opportunity to learn from the business community and elected officials to meet the region’s funding needs.
5. Long-Term Commitment to Planning: Acknowledge that addressing transportation challenges will require thoughtful, long-term planning and coordination, and express confidence in the group’s ability to tackle these issues together.

Commissioner Lisa Qualls – CRTPO Chair

Key Talking Points from Lisa Qualls
1. Importance of Coordination: Emphasize the need for cooperation between GCLMPO and CRTPO to address shared transportation challenges that impact residents and visitors across jurisdictional lines.
2. Transportation Funding: Highlight the critical importance of transportation funding for the region’s growth, stressing the need for investment in both large and small projects to maintain quality of life and economic competitiveness.
3. Local Project Innovation: Introduce two local projects showcasing innovation and resiliency, aiming to improve safety and meet transportation needs, and encourage learning from successful projects across both regions.

Today! Collaboration is always key, especially in the MPO world.

We are looking forward to our meeting with our partners CRTPO - Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization and Centralina Regional Council tomorrow for the 2025 Joint MPO Roundtable, themed Pursuing Regional Progress through Collaboration and Innovation at Gaston College - Kimbrell Campus from 5:15 - 8:00 PM.


Gaston County Government Cleveland County Government Lincoln County NC

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-01-21-cleveland-county-resurfacing.aspx

Cleveland County Lands Resurfacing Contract NCDOT

Cleveland County Lands Resurfacing Contract

Drivers in Cleveland County will soon have a smoother ride on sections of N.C. 18, N.C. 216, and sections of several secondary roads, thanks to a $5.1 million contract awarded to improve about 17.9 miles of roadway.

The contract earned by Asphalt Paving of Shelby Inc. includes milling, resurfacing, and shoulder reconstruction.

Sections of major routes that will be resurfaced include:

•N.C. 18 from N.C. 150/DeKalb Street to the U.S. 74/Dixon Boulevard overpass
•N.C. 216 from the Gaston County line to Linwood Road

Secondary roads covered in the contract are:

•Stage Coach Trail between N.C. 226 and New House Road
•Eastridge Road between Polkville and New House roads, and between Hallman Mill and Fallston roads
•Caleb Road between Hoey Church and Pleasant Hill Church roads
•El Bethel Road between Bethlehem Road and U.S. 74 Business​

Work can start as early as March 17 and should be completed by summer 2026.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-11-08-gastonia-public-meeting.aspx

Public Meeting Set for Proposed Improvements to N.C. 274 in Gaston County NCDOT

Public Meeting Set for Proposed Improvements to N.C. 274 in Gaston County: (5-7 p.m. Nov. 14 at Firestone Wesleyan Church, 1700 Union Road)

The North Carolina Department of Transportation invites the public to learn more about a developing project to improve traffic flow on N.C. 274 (Union Road) from Osceola Street to Niblick Drive in Gastonia. Currently, the $41 million project is scheduled for construction in the fall of 2027.

The proposed project will widen 1.12 miles of N.C. 274 with four 12-foot lanes and a divided grass median. Other improvements include:

♦A ten-foot multiuse path on the west side of Union Road
♦A five-foot sidewalk on the east side of Union Road
♦A traffic signal at N.C. 274/Osceola Street/Forest Drive
​♦A public, drop-in style meeting will be held from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 14 at Firestone Wesleyan Church, 1700 Union Road. People may attend the meeting at any time to meet NCDOT staff and discuss the project.

People who cannot attend the meeting may submit comments in writing, or by phone or email through Dec. 4. All comments received will be reviewed and considered as the development process continues.

More information and project maps are available on the NCDOT Public Meeting website (https://ncdot.publicinput.com/c26762).

To send comments or learn more, email [email protected] or call 512-580-8850, Code 10647. People can also mail comments to NCDOT Division 12 Project Manager Bryan Sowell at P.O. Box 47, Shelby, N.C., 28151.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Tony Gallagher at 919-707-6069 or [email protected] as early as possible so arrangements can be made.

​People who speak Spanish and have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.