N.C. Gen. Stat. § 136-81: Department of Transportation may maintain footways.

The Department of Transportation shall have the power to erect and maintain adequate footways over swamps, waters, chasms, gorges, gaps, or in any other places whatsoever, whenever said Department of Transportation shall find that such footways are necessary, in connection with the use of the highways, for the safety and convenience of the public. (1817, c. 940, ss. 1, 2, P.R.; R.C., c. 101, s. 17; Code, s. 2029; Rev., s. 2695; C.S., s. 3785; 1921, c. 2; 1931, c. 145; 1933, c. 172, s. 17; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; 1977, c. 464, s. 7.1.)