N.C. Gen. Stat. § 136-44.1: Statewide transportation system; policies.

The Department of Transportation shall develop and maintain a statewide system of roads, highways, and other transportation systems commensurate with the needs of the State as a whole and it shall not sacrifice the general statewide interest to the purely local desires of any particular area. The Board of Transportation shall formulate general policies and plans for a statewide transportation system. The Board shall formulate policies governing the construction, improvement and maintenance of roads, highways, and other transportation systems of the State with due regard to farm-to-market roads and school bus routes. (1973, c. 507, s. 3; 1975, c. 716, s. 7; 2009-266, s. 18.)