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The N.C. Department of Transportation is again honoring North Carolina towns, cities and counties that have completed multimodal transportation projects that spurred economic development, improved public health and enhanced communities.

From Jan. 23-June 28​, 2024, NCDOT is seeking entries for the fourth NCDOT Mobi (“Mobility”) Awards. Those wishing to enter this year’s contest should complete the online application linked below. Winners of this year’s contest will be announced during a luncheon at noon Oct. 11 at the Raleigh Convention Center, 500 South Salisbury St. ​

Multimodal projects serve at least two modes of transportation such as bicycle, pedestrian, rail, roads, transit, ferry and aviation projects. Examples include greenways, streetscape projects and bridges with walking paths.

Multimodal projects are an important piece of North Carolina's future. They connect people to places, provide alternative modes of travel and make the state more accessible, attractive and competitive.

The NCDOT Mobi Awards represent a multimodal focus that is at the heart of the N.C. Department of Transportation's mission to leverage the state's transportation infrastructure to ensure a strong economy and quality of life for future generations.

The agency has hosted the Mobi Awards in 2019, 2020 and 2022.​
3/5/2024 4:12 PMApproved
  

Timeline


Call for Applications: Jan. 23, 2024

Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. June 28, 2024

Finalist notification: TBD. The contact person listed for the selected projects in each category will be notified via email. Two free tickets to the awards luncheon will be provided for each finalist. The winners will be announced at the luncheon. Additional tickets will be available for purchase on a first come, first served basis. Finalists or representatives must be present at the luncheon to win. Registration information will be announced at a later date.

Winners announced: Winners of this year’s contest will be announced during a luncheon at noon Oct. 11 at the Raleigh Convention Center, 500 South Salisbury St. ​

3/5/2024 4:11 PMApproved
  

Award Categories​

Entries in the 2024 NCDOT Mobi Awards will be placed in six categories.

Four categories the judges will determine winners for are divided based on the size of the community served by a multimodal transportation project. They are:

  • Rural - These projects serve North Carolina’s smallest communities, including counties, with populations of under 10,000.
  • Small Urban - These include projects serving communities or counties with populations between 10,000 and 50,000.
  • Urban - These are projects serving communities or counties with populations between 50,000 and 100,000.
  • Large Urban - Projects serve communities with populations above 100,000.​

All projects will be entered into the other two categories. Projects will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Innovation - Projects will be scored by the panel of judges based on their innovative or creative approach to planning, programming, management, leadership or implementation of the project.
  • MVP(Most Voted Project) - ​The project galleries will be opened to an online public vote, with the winner being the project with the highest number of votes. This category will be open for public voting for a longer period of time. Please review the dates for details.

(Note: The selected location for a project should be based on where the project is largely located or where it is having the greatest impact).

Judging Criteria

A distinguished panel of judges will select winners in the Rural, Small Urban, Urban and Large Urban categories based on how well the project:
  • Leveraged or spurred other public and private investment beyond the NCDOT investment
  • Boosted economic growth (business, tourism, etc.) and created long-term jobs/employment
  • Demonstrated innovative problem solving
  • Improved public health
  • Addressed equity and diversity issues in transportation and access
  • Enhanced the community’s quality of life
  • Contributed to the community or state in other significant ways

All projects in this year’s competition will be automatically entered into the Innovation and Most Voted Project categories (see judging criteria above for those two categories).

2/16/2024 1:37 PMApproved
  

​Entries in this year's NCDOT Mobi Awards can come from towns, cities, counties, universities/colleges, planning organizations, public transportation systems, airport authorities or councils of government. 

Entries should be multimodal transportation projects North Carolina communities have constructed, completed and put into operation (or service must have started).

Projects entered must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2019. However, participants with projects entered in the previous two cycles of the NCDOT Mobi Awards competitions (2020 and 2022) that did not win are eligible to enter the competition again this year. Those applicants will need to edit and resubmit their applications on NCDOT's online portal. Please contact Jonah Freedman at jfreedm@ncsu.edu for any submission related questions.

Projects must have combined to serve two or more of the following modes of transportation:

  • Aviation
  • Bicycle
  • Pedestrian
  • Ferry
  • Public Transportation/Bus/Transit
  • Rail
  • Roads​


​An esteemed panel of judges will review the entries and select three finalists from five of the six categories in this year's competition. See judging criteria below.

2/16/2024 1:36 PMApproved
  

Event Hosts


 

The NCDOT Mobi Awards luncheon is hosted by the N.C. Department of Transportation and co-hosted by NC Go!, the North Carolina Triangle Chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar and the N.C. State University Institute for Transportation Research and Education.

1/23/2024 10:39 AMApproved
  

NCDOT Mobi Award Winners Honored  

The communities that earned top honors in the 2022 NCDOT Mobi Awards were recognized at a luncheon on May 4 at the Raleigh Marriott City Center.

The 2022 NCDOT Mobi Book​ has detailed descriptions and pictures of all this year’s​ entries. A video of the the ceremony and photos​ are also available.


Rural Category Winner


City of Creedmoor Cross City Trail
Creedmoor

Nominated by the City of Creedmoor

The Cross City Trail completes a four-phase, greenway throughout Creedmoor. It opened in September 2020 and provides a separate, ADA-accessible, bicycle and pedestrian path that connects Lake Rogers Park to downtown Creedmoor and new housing subdivisions along N.C. 56. ​​

 Honorable Mentions

  • East Fork Pedestrian Bridge and Sidewalk​

  • Dillsboro Bridge


Large Urban Category Winner


CityLYNX Goldline Streetcar Project (Phase 2)
Charlotte 
Nominated by the Charlotte Area Transit Agency

Phase 2 of Charlotte’s CityLYNX Gold Line Streetcar Project is a 4-mile dual track streetcar system using new hybrid technology streetcars. The project, which was completed in August 2021, includes 17 stops with public art integrated into the shelters and new streetcar vehicles. 

Honorable Mentions

  • Fayetteville Greenway Network

  • Hector H. Henry Greenway – Riverwalk


Urban Category Winner


CCX - The Carolina Connector
Rocky Mount
Nominated by Rocky Mount Metropolitan Planning Organization

The Carolinas Gateway Partnership, CSX, and the N.C. Department of Transportation partnered to construct a state-of-the-art, 300-acre intermodal facility near Rocky Mount. The facility, which opened for business in November 2021, allows trucks to bring cargo containers to a rail yard, where they are transferred to trains for transport. 

Honorable Mentions

  • Little Sugar Creek Greenway

  • Franklin Street Temporary Lane Reallocation


Small Urban Category Winner


Old Fayetteville Road Multiuse Path
Leland
Nominated by Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

The Old Fayetteville Road MUP is a one-mile multi-use path that provides bicycle and pedestrian access to educational, recreational and civic destinations along Old Fayetteville Road in Leland. 

Honorable Mentions

  • Runway 6 Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System

  • Old Cullowhee Bridge


Innovation Category Winner


CityLYNX Goldline Streetcar Project (Phase 2)
Charlotte 
Nominated by the Charlotte Area Transit Agency

Phase 2 of Charlotte’s CityLYNX Gold Line Streetcar Project is a 4-mile dual track streetcar system using new hybrid technology streetcars. The project, which was completed in August 2021, includes 17 stops with public art integrated into the shelters and new streetcar vehicles. ​


Honorable Mentions

  • Fayetteville Greenway Network

  • Little Sugar Creek Greenway​ 


Most Voted Project


Runway 6 Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System
Lexington
Nominated by the Davidson County Airport

This project included the installation of a special lighting system at the end of Runway 6 at the Davidson County Airport in Lexington. The lighting system was installed in July 2021. It provides pilots with enhanced visual guidance for landing aircraft in poor visibility conditions. 

5/5/2022 10:44 AMApproved
  

Sponsorship Opportunities


Sponsorship opportunities are now available until March 25, 2022. To become a sponsor, please fill out this form.

3/22/2022 11:41 AMApproved
  
1/7/2022 10:14 AMApproved
  

2020 Mobi Award Winners


The top 2020 multimodal projects in five categories – Urban, RuralTourism, Innovation and Most Voted Project – were honored Aug. 5, 2020, during a virtual ceremony. The event was co-hosted by NC Go!the North Carolina Triangle Chapter of Women's Transportation Seminar and the N.C. State University Institute for Transportation Research and Education.
 

Urban Category Winner


Craven Street Transportation Improvements 
Asheville 
Nominated by French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization 

This project connects to the larger greenway network in Asheville. It realigned the street so people could walk, bike or run the greenway while enjoying views of the river, visiting artist studios as well as restaurants, shops and breweries.

 

 Honorable Mentions

  • GoRaleigh Transit Service Expansion ​

  • University Pointe Boulevard: The I-85 South Bridge ​



Rural Category Winner


Granite ​City Greenway (Phase 3)
Surry County
Nominated by Northwest Piedmont Rural Planning Organization

This $6.5 million investment into the community has increased Sanford's overall accessibility and aesthetics by improving bicycle, pedestrian and roadway features in downtown. Sanford's Streetscape Project has spurred economic growth and development, stimulated business investments and provided a venue for several new events.

 

​Honorable Mentions

  • REACH Transit in Shelby​
  • Surf City Topsail Island Bridge Connector​

Tourism Category Winner


Albert J. Ellis Redevelopment Project 
Onslow County 
Nominated by Onslow County 

Onslow County redeveloped the airport's terminal which has boosted tourism, allowed businesses to expand and increased employment in the area. The airport is now a source of community pride and enhances the county's ability to attract new visitors, businesses and residents.

 

Honorable Mentions

  • Connecting Great Small Towns 
  • 1st Avenue Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements​


Innovation Category Winners


REACH Transit  
Shelby 
Nominated by Transportation Administration of Cleveland County

REACH Transit is a fixed route that runs in Shelby. Residents use this public transportation lifeline to get to medical facilities and pharmacies, grocery stores, and a community college. Many people were unable to access these places previously. 

 

Honorable Mentions

  • Craven Street Transportation Improvements  
  • Albert J. Ellis Redevelopment Project 


Most Voted Project Winner


Surf City Topsail Island Bridge Connector  
Surf City
Nominated by the Town of Surf City 


The Surf City Topsail Island Bridge Connector replaced the aging, 1950s-era steel truss drawbridge that served as a critical link between Surf City and Topsail Island. The new bridge has improved traffic flow and helped the local economies by enabling people to more easily access businesses in Surf City and Topsail Island.​

 

​​Honorable Mentions

  • Thermal Belt Rail Trail: Connecting Great Small Towns



8/27/2020 8:42 AMApproved
  

The top 2019 multimodal projects in five categories – Urban, Suburban, Rural, Tourism and Innovation – were honored April 3, 2019, at an awards luncheon hosted by NCDOT and co-hosted by NC Go!, the North Carolina Triangle Chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar and the N.C. State University Institute for Transportation Research and Education.

 

Urban Category Winner


LYNX Blue Line Extension Light Rail Project

Charlotte Area Transit System

The Blue Line Extension added 9.3 miles of rail, 11 new light rail stations and 3,100 parking spaces. It spans from Center City Charlotte to UNC-Charlotte Main Station and added 4 miles of road improvements, 8 miles of bicycle facilities and 10 miles of pedestrian accommodations. It has reduced traffic congestion, pollution and crashes on the city's roadways. It has also provided health benefits, saved citizens money and provided greater connectivity to the community.  

 

 ​Honorable Mentions

  • Charlotte for Charlotte Intermodal Facility
  • French Broad River MPO for Craven Street Transportation Improvements
  • City of Raleigh for Raleigh Union Station

 

Suburban Category Winner


Corolla Greenway Project Phase III
Currituck County

 

Phase III of the Corolla Greenway project added a 3-mile ADA-accessible extension onto the greenway, and it runs along N.C. Highway 12, where pedestrians formerly shared the road with motor vehicles. Since its completion, it has provided the community with a safer way of travel about the area, while adding more connectivity among residents and visitors.

 

  

Rural Category Winner


Downtown Streetscape Project

City of Sanford

This $6.5 million investment into the community has increased Sanford's overall accessibility and aesthetics by improving bicycle, pedestrian and roadway features in downtown. Sanford's Streetscape Project has spurred economic growth and development, stimulated business investments and provided a venue for several new events.

 

Honorable Mentions

  • Burke Flex Bus Services (Western Piedmont Council of Governments)
  • GWTA Transfer Center (Goldsboro-Wayne Transportation Authority)
  • Granite City Greenway Phase III (Northwest Piedmont Rural Planning Organization)

  

Tourism Category Winner


G.K. Butterfield Transportation Center

City of Greenville

The G.K. Butterfield Transportation Center serves as a central hub for citizens to use multiple forms of transportation. Since its creation, it has spurred economic development, attracted investments and provide more direct and easier access to the city's services. 

 

Honorable Mentions

  • Concord Charlotte Express (Concord Kannapolis Area Transit)
  • Albert J. Ellis Airport Redevelopment Project (Onslow County)
  • Ocracoke Island Tram System (Hyde County)


Innovation Category Winners


Corolla Village Road Sidewalk

Currituck County

The Corolla Village road sidewalk project added an extension and made improvements to a public beach access in Corolla. It has provided local citizens and visitors a pathway from the sound to the ocean, providing more connectivity in the community.

 

  

 

GoRaleigh Station Renovations
City of Raleigh

Formerly known as Moore Square Transit Mall, the GoRaleigh Station renovations were completed to provide the station much-needed updates since its creation in 1988. The facility is now completely ADA-accessible, and improvements include a pedestrian walkway, renovated public courtyard, new bus lanes with expanded bus platforms, additional seating, real-time video displays, security cameras, and accommodations for new CNG, hybrid, and all-electric buses.

 

Honorable Mentions

  • Long Branch Trail (City of Winston-Salem)
  • Howard Coble Intermodal Transportation Center (Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation)​


8/26/2020 3:38 PMApproved
  

For questions or more information, contact themobi@ncdot.gov

4/2/2019 3:42 PMApproved