If you’ve ever driven down a bumpy street and wondered, “Why hasn’t the City fixed this yet?” — the answer may surprise you. Not all roads within Gastonia are maintained by the City. Some belong to the State of North Carolina.
The City’s Public Services Department maintains more than 366 miles of city streets, handling potholes, resurfacing, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and street sweeping. Another 100-plus miles within city limits are state-maintained roads, overseen by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). In North Carolina, counties do not own and maintain roads.
City vs. State Roads
- City streets: Neighborhood streets, downtown blocks, and smaller local roads. City crews handle all maintenance.
- State roads: Interstate 85 (I-85) and ramps, highways, major thoroughfares, and roads with route numbers, such as U.S. 321, N.C. 7, Franklin Boulevard (U.S. 74), and New Hope Road (N.C. 279). Repairs and improvements require NCDOT approval.
“Our team takes pride in maintaining the streets we control, and we know safe roads are important to residents,” said Dusty Wentz, Public Services Director. “Even when a road is state maintained, we coordinate with NCDOT to address concerns quickly.”
Tips for Residents
- Check for numbered designations: SR, U.S., or N.C. routes are state maintained.
- Use the NCDOT Public Street Information Database (HB620) to verify road ownership.
- Roads within city limits without a number are likely City streets.
- Heavier, through-traffic roads are usually state-maintained; smaller neighborhood streets are City-managed.
For more information about the City’s Streets & Traffic Division or to report an issue, visit the Streets & Traffic page on the City’s website or call 704-866-6843. For more information about NCDOT roads and services, visit the NCDOT website or call 1-877-DOT4YOU (1-877-368-4968).
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Gastonia, N.C., just minutes west of Charlotte, is one of the area’s best places to live and work with an ideal combination of location, size and livability. Gastonia is the largest of Gaston County’s 13 municipalities and one of the largest cities in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Selected as an All-America City three times, Gastonia’s desirable quality of life is the result of its beautiful natural surroundings, friendly neighborhoods, responsive government and vibrant business environment.