Overview

The North Carolina Private Road and Bridge Program (NC-PRB) was established to assist property owners across western North Carolina with damages from Helene. In accordance with The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part I, NC-PRB will prioritize repairs to private roads or bridges that:

  • Are the sole access for emergency services to residential properties occupied by the property owner for over six months of the calendar year.
  • Provide access to multiple residential homes, recreation or commercial facilities.

In the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part II, the NC Legislature committed an additional $75 million to the Private Road and Bridge Repair Program. Of these funds, $25 million has been allocated to reimburse 50% of the costs to homeowners and homeowners associations that completed qualified projects. 

The application deadline for reimbursement program has passed. If you have any questions, email ncemprb@ncdps.gov or contact NC Disaster Case Management. 

Program Details

The Tropical Storm Helene Disaster Recovery Act authorizations established a $175 million budget for the program, including $25 million for partial reimbursements.  The program is committed to using its available resources to undertake or partially reimburse as many qualifying projects as possible, but there is no guarantee that all projects will proceed, pending on-site assessments.

As part of the state budget adopted in August 2025, NC-PRB was allocated an additional $30 million.  Of this, $22 million was designated to expand the direct construction program and $8 million to volunteer organizations for repairs and reconstruction of private roads and bridges. Based on existing guidance from the North Carolina General Assembly, the priority for the NC-PRB managed construction program continues to be the restoration of emergency vehicle access to homes and businesses impacted by Helene.

As directed by Section 2C.1.(b) of the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part I, there will be a 50% cost sharing with the HOA/POA for all construction costs for private roads or bridges that are owned by HOAs/POAs.

  • If you are located in an eligible disaster-declared county and have a private road, culvert or bridge that was damaged or destroyed by Tropical Storm Helene, and you submitted your interest form prior to Sept. 1, 2025, you will be considered for a potential state-managed project or for partial reimbursement of any out-of-pocket expenses for property access repairs. The priority for state-directed project sites will be those primary residences and businesses still lacking emergency vehicle access, but other “at risk or vulnerable” sites are also being considered for such direct repairs.
  • If you previously submitted an interest form, we recommend gathering proof of property ownership (deeds, tax parcel information, etc.), proof of residency (such as NCDL, voter ID and utility invoices), or any other documents related to your submission.
  • Completion estimates for repairs will depend on individual circumstances and can only be provided following the necessary state engineering and/or contractor awards.  
  • With the exception of partial reimbursements and any grants provided to qualified volunteer or non-profit organizations, all approved program projects will be managed by the state with state-approved contractors and engineering firms. This includes the customized and more complex design-bid-build bridge projects.
  • Documented out-of-pocket repair costs for completed work performed by third-party contractors may be eligible for partial reimbursement if either a direct project interest form or reimbursement application was submitted prior to the reimbursement application closing date of Feb. 28, 2026.  
  •  Federal assistance will not automatically disqualify you from participating in either of these the state PRB programs. As the program progresses, eligible and programmed applicants will be contacted for a review and assessment of the benefits received and any ongoing needs.  
  • If your property is in a POA or HOA and/or your community access is shared with neighbors, your community organization should have identified a single point of contact on behalf of the entire community. The state will work with the property owners, either directly or through appropriate homeowners’ associations or other community-based managers, to address any necessary repairs or replacements. 

Need Assistance?

If you have any changes to your circumstances or have new information to provide, please email ncemprb@ncdps.gov. Be sure to include your:  

  • Name  
  • Phone number  
  • Address associated with the private road or bridge  
  • Email  
  • Description of the changed circumstance.  

If you need assistance, resources, or have general questions about the NC Private Roads and Bridges Program, please contact ncemprb@ncdps.gov or the Disaster Case Management Program at 1-844-746-2326 or online. 

Eligible Counties

Alexander County 
Alleghany County 
Ashe County 
Avery County 
Buncombe County 
Burke County 
Cabarrus County 
Caldwell County 
Catawba County 
Cherokee County  
Clay County 
Cleveland County 
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Forsyth County 
Gaston County 
Graham County 
Haywood County 
Henderson County 
Iredell County 
Jackson County 
Lee County 
Lincoln County 
Macon County 
Madison County 
McDowell County 
Mecklenburg County 

Mitchell County 
Nash County 
Polk County 
Rowan County 
Rutherford County 
Stanly County 
Surry County 
Swain County 
Transylvania County 
Union County 
Watauga County 
Wilkes County 
Yadkin County 
Yancey County