WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) — More than $138.3 million will be distributed by the N.C. Department of Transportation to 502 municipalities across the state from the Powell Bill Fund, or State Street Aid, and Highway Trust Fund.
Over $2 million of that will go to the City of Wilmington, according to a news release from the NCDOT. Wilmington, with an estimated population of 106,882, will receive $2,742.251.57. A total of $1,371,125.79 was distributed in October. The second half will reportedly be given on Jan. 1, 2012.
This year’s total amount is $4 million more than last year’s amount and the funds come from state gas tax and other highway user fees. Since the program began in 1951, nearly $3.5 billion has been allocated to municipalities, according to the NCDOT.
“Funding provided by the Powell Bill helps cities and towns cover the costs of construction, maintenance and needed repairs for the streets and sidewalks they maintain,” said Transportation Secretary Gene Conti in a news release. “With the budget situation many of these communities face, this is a way to provide valuable assistance so they can maintain and improve the safety and condition of their transportation systems.”
Each community is allowed to decide how to spend the money. It just has to be used on qualified projects. The amount of money each municipality receives is based on a formula set by the N.C. General Assembly—75% of the funds are awarded based on population and 25% is based on the number of street miles each municipality maintains.
Here are the communities who received the most funds:
- Charlotte—$18.6 million
- Raleigh—$9.8 million
- Greensboro—$7 million
- Winston-Salem—$6.2 million
- Durham—$5.7 million
