19A NCAC 02C .0102      MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR SECONDARY ROADS

The minimum standards for secondary roads are as follows:

(1)           The Department of Transportation shall require a right of way width of 50 feet for secondary roads added to the system.  The right‑of‑way width may be such as to provide for expected future improvement and maintenance needs of a particular road.  A minimum of 50 feet in width for connecting roads and a minimum of 45 feet in width for dead end roads is required.  Construction or maintenance easements beyond the right‑of‑way may be required, if necessary.

(2)           The DOT may authorize rights of way for secondary roads that are less than the minimum required width upon a determination by the Manager of Secondary Roads, and with the approval of the Board of Transportation, that the minimum required right of way width is not feasible, based upon reasonable engineering principles and costs, or creates unnecessary hardships, and safety is not sacrificed.

(3)           For unpaved roads, a minimum travelway width of at least 20 feet is required.  Where feasible, road widths of 32 feet including side ditches shall be required.  Where not feasible, the requirement may be reduced to a width applicable to the situation, if safety will not be sacrificed.

(4)           Unpaved roads may be stabilized based upon the level of service that the roads render for acceptable use in all except extreme weather conditions.

(5)           Any secondary road may have drainage established that is adequate to maintain the road in a manner that is justifiable based upon the service that the road renders.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 136‑44.7; 143B-350(f) and (g);

Eff. July 1, 1978;

Amended Eff. December 29, 1993; October 1, 1982;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. September 6, 2016.