Traveling is a necessity and a well-maintained road makes driving a bit easier.

Road maintenance, though, isn’t performed by departments within Polk County.

In fact, the maintenance of public roads is the responsibility of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (“NCDOT”), or the city or town where the road is located.

There’s also a distinction to be made when it comes to private roads, as these are not maintained by the state, city, or town, but by their owner. The general rule is that the owner or owners of the private road are responsible for its maintenance.

Who does road maintenance in Polk County?

To determine who is responsible for road maintenance, you must first know what type of Road it is and where it is located. Polk County, like other counties in the state, does not maintain any roads or bridges.  If the road is located outside the municipal limits of a town or city, it is either a state-maintained road or a privately maintained road. State Roads, which are identifiable on a map by the road marked with an SR (State Road) number, are maintained by NCDOT. Incorporated towns and cities maintain roads in their jurisdiction that are not part of the state highway system.

To check the status of a planned project or to suggest that a STATE road be paved or resurfaced, contact NCDOT’s maintenance office in Columbus 828-894-8980. You can also contact them to report roads that need repair. NCDOT determines State Road maintenance projects through planning and State budget allocations.

For answers to more Road Maintenance questions, click here.

If you would like to inquire about upcoming road projects or report an issue with a road within one of the three municipalities in Polk County, contact:

The Town of Columbus, click here.

The City of Saluda, click here.

The Town of Tryon, click here.