The Winston-Salem Area Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) is taking a look at the area's transportation needs through the year 2050. The Winston-Salem Area 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) considers all modes of transportation, including motorized vehicles, public transportation, bicycles, walking, freight and goods movement, and air travel.

The 2050 MTP analyzes the region's transportation system to determine the area's transportation needs. Those needs have been matched with recommended transportation projects, which went through a prioritization process for funding. The result is a comprehensive blueprint for effective transportation decision-making and investment choices.

Check out our project StoryMap!

We've created an interactive online platform that summarizes the 2050 MTP and its recommendations. Let us know what you think in the included survey!

The draft document is now available!

The full draft of the 2050 MTP is now available for public review!

Study Area Map

The Winston-Salem MTP's area includes Winston-Salem and several surrounding communities in the Winston-Salem Urbanized Area, including Lewisville • Clemmons • Bermuda Run • Tobaccoville • Bethania • Rural Hall • Midway • Walkertown • Kernersville • Wallburg, and parts of Forsyth • Davie • Davidson • Stokes counties.

Since our last update, we’ve been hard at work building out the Winston-Salem Urban Area’s long-range transportation plan.

What We’ve Done

Finalized the Fiscally Constrained Roadway Project List

  • With the help of the WSATPO jurisdictions, we identified roadway projects that were seen as high priority or medium priority to carry forward into the MTP. These projects were evaluated, scored, and prioritized.
  • Based on expected revenues and project cost estimates, we prepared a financial plan that assigned roadway projects to horizon years (timeframes) that we expect to be able to fund them. Leftover projects that did not have funding were included as part of a longer-term unfunded vision.

Prepared Other Recommendations for Active Transportation, Transit, Aviation, Intercity Rail, and Freight

The MTP is much more than just a roadway plan- it also captures plans, policies, and recommendations for other modes, including future bike and pedestrian facilities, improving transit, implementing intercity rail, and continuing to emphasize aviation and freight.

Completed a Draft of the 2050 MTP Plan Document

We've pulled all the pieces, from vision and existing conditions to recommendations and financial planning, into a draft of the MTP Plan document. The draft review period is from August 15th to September 15th.

Prepared a StoryMap to Explain the MTP Process and Showcase Recommendations

Want to get a quick understanding of the MTP Planning Process and the Plan's recommendations without reading the whole document? We've prepared a user-friendly StoryMap that walks through everything we've done, how we got here, and what the plan recommends. It also includes a place for you to give your thoughts!

What's Next?

  • Join us at our In-Person Public Meeting on Thursday, September 4th at the Forsyth County Central Library Auditorium from 5:30-7pm
  • Adoption targeted September 18th, 2025

Since our first phase of engagement, we’ve been hard at work laying the foundation for the Winston-Salem Urban Area’s long-range transportation plan.

What We’ve Done

Public Engagement - Phase 1 Complete!

We connected with hundreds of community members through:

  • Online surveys, pop-up events, and stakeholder interviews
  • Conversations at the Carolina Classic Fair, International Village, and more
  • Feedback focused on safety, more travel options, congestion relief, and equity

Developed Key Goals for the Plan

  • Create a safe and secure transportation network
  • Improve mobility choices
  • Improve travel accessibility throughout the region
  • Supporting regional growth and economic vibrancy
  • Create healthy and resilient communities
  • Identify transportation innovation that supports regional goals
  • Maintain a state of good repair

What’s Next?

Phase 2 Engagement is Coming!

We’ll be back soon with the draft project list and want your feedback on:

  • Which transportation improvements matter most
  • How to prioritize safety, mobility, and economic development in your community

Upcoming Work:

  • Finalize CTP and MTP project lists
  • Apply financial constraints
  • Draft the full 2050 MTP
  • Targeting adoption in Fall 2025

Stay Involved!

Your voice shapes the future. Check back here for opportunities to participate, review the draft plan, and help us build a safer, smarter transportation system for everyone in the Winston-Salem region.

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    1 | Project Initiation and Data Gathering

    The project initiation phase is the crucial first step in the planning process. This phase involves the kick-off meeting, development of a public engagement plan, the creation of the steering committee, and the delineation of responsibilities throughout the process.

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    2 | Existing Conditions and Travel Demand Model

    This phase is focused around collecting data about the region. This data will be a combination of the existing conditions and the data from the public survey, workshops, and stakeholder engagement.

  • Timeline item 3 - complete

    3 | Needs Assessment and Prioritization

    This phase identifies key transportation challenges and future needs through data analysis and community input. Projects are prioritized based on safety, mobility, sustainability, and equity to ensure the region’s transportation system meets future demands.

  • Timeline item 4 - complete

    4 | Financial Plan

    The financial plan process involves projecting the budget through the plans lifecycle, in this case 2050. After calculating the budget, projects will be financially constrained to create a balanced budget showing what, at current trajectories, can be accomplished in the next 25 years. Projects that are not financially constrained are included as illustrative projects.

  • Timeline item 5 - active

    5 | MTP Documentation

    This section involves the creation of the physical plan with opportunities for public involvement and stakeholder comments.

  • Timeline item 6 - incomplete

    6 | Adoption

    The final section of the process is the hopeful adoption of the MTP helping to pave the way for the future of transportation in the region.