NC's $100 billion transportation infrastructure challenge

NC's $100 billion transportation infrastructure challenge

Author: WUNC News June 5, 2026 Duration: 29:04
With a growing population and skyrocketing construction costs, the N.C. Department of Transportation needs more help to build and improve roads and infrastructure across the state. If you’re driving around a high-growth area of the state, there’s a decent chance you might be stuck in traffic – and those daily bottlenecks are only getting worse. The Department of Transportation knows exactly where it needs to widen roads and build new ones to ease that congestion. But with inadequate revenue from the gas tax, construction on those improvements could be years away. DOT has a list of $144 billion in transportation infrastructure projects submitted by local leaders, but it only has $5 billion to spend  WUNC News sat down with NCDOT Secretary Daniel Johnson at the agency’s Raleigh headquarters to get a better picture of the state’s transportation funding challenges, from controversial toll roads to the shifting sands around N.C. 12 on the Outer Banks.

Tune in for the conversations happening behind the headlines across the state. WUNC Politics, from the journalists at WUNC News, moves beyond the official statements and press conferences to bring you the context and candid insights shaping North Carolina. Each episode feels like catching up with a well-informed friend who just left the floor of the General Assembly or a key campaign stop, translating the day’s political maneuvers into something relatable and clear. You’ll hear directly from reporters about the whispers in the legislative hallways, the shifting dynamics on the trail, and the real-world impacts of policy debates. This isn't about partisan scoring; it's about understanding the how and why of Tar Heel politics. The podcast delivers a grounded, weekly perspective that helps make sense of the rapid changes in our state's government and elections. For anyone curious about the forces driving decisions in Raleigh and beyond, this is an essential listen. The analysis is sharp, the reporting is trustworthy, and the discussion always points toward what it all means for the people who live here. Dive into the nuanced and often surprising stories that define political life in North Carolina.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

WUNC Politics
Podcast Episodes
How Research Triangle Park became an economic juggernaut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:50
Research Triangle Park has been a driving force in North Carolina’s growth, but it started with a group of business and political leaders who saw potential to capitalize on the area’s three universities. 70 years ago, th…
Big changes for state workers and government hiring [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:25
In July, Gov. Josh Stein signed a bill that makes big changes to the laws governing state government employment. He says the laws largely haven’t been updated since the 1960s. Among the changes. state employees will find…
Catching up with Rufus Edmisten at 85 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:33
More than 50 years after his role in the Senate’s Watergate investigation, a North Carolina political veteran is taking a look back at his career and how the political world has changed. Rufus Edmisten recently turned 85…
A six-year-old's death prompts new child welfare safeguards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:08
The abuse and neglect of a child in Charlotte prompted state lawmakers to pass stronger child welfare regulations as part of the newly enacted budget bill. The Dominique Moody Safety Act was passed in the state House and…
What's in the long overdue state budget bill? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:41
The legislature largely wrapped up its 2026 short session this week with the arrival -- and quick passage -- of the long-delayed state budget bill. We’re sharing our This Week in State Politics segment, where WUNC News'…
NC's rural school funding challenges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:01
The long delays in the state budget process are hurting teacher retention in rural districts like Halifax County, and it’s just one of the many funding challenges these districts are facing amid uncertain funding. To bet…
How state employees are reacting to long-delayed raises [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:42
Legislative leaders recently announced state employee raises as part of an initial budget agreement, but how much workers will receive will vary greatly depending on what they do for state government. The State Employees…
A youthful push for NC vape regulations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:43
A group of high school and college students want state lawmakers to crack down on the loosely regulated sales of vaping products. They're pushing for action on a bipartisan bill filed last year to regulate retailers that…
The ad (and issue) that helped oust Sen. Phil Berger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:09
Senate leader Phil Berger lost his primary in March to Rockingham County sheriff Sam Page by just 23 votes. When the margin is that close, every factor that influenced at least 23 voters could be considered the deciding…
Your power bill could be going up in NC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
Duke Energy says it needs to increase your power bill, and the fate of that request will soon be decided by a commission that recently changed to a Republican majority. The N.C. Utilities Commission has been holding a se…