The Mid-East RPO’s Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) and Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) will hold a joint meeting at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Mid-East Commission – 1502 N Market Street, Suite A, Washington, N.C. 27889. A public hearing will be held during this meeting to receive public comment on the Mid-East RPO’s draft Prioritization 8.0 Division Needs local input point assignments. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the TCC and TAC will have the opportunity to adopt the Mid-East RPO’s draft Division Needs local input point assignments. In addition to the public hearing being held on November 12, 2026, members of the public may also provide input on the Mid-East RPO’s draft Prioritization 8.0 Division Needs local input point assignments by contacting MERPO staff.
Click here to view the Mid-East RPO's draft P8 Division Needs local input point assignments
The Mid-East Rural Planning Organization (MERPO) is a regional transportation planning organization serving Beaufort County, Martin County, and the areas of Pitt County not within the planning boundaries of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). MERPO works in coordination with local governments and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to plan for, prioritize, and implement aviation, bicycle & pedestrian, ferry, highway, public transit, and rail projects. The Mid-East RPO is a program of the Mid-East Commission, funded by NCDOT, Beaufort County, Martin County, and Pitt County.
Upcoming Events
TCC-TAC Joint Meeting
Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 10:00 AM
Mid-East Commission
1502 N Market St, Suite A, Washington, N.C. 27889
Quick Links
Click here to view the Adopted 2026-2035 STIP Map in separate tab
Click here to download the Draft 2026-2035 STIP in Excel
Click here for more about the Draft 2026-2035 STIP
Click here to view map in separate tab.
Click here for more about Prioritization 8.0
Region
Beaufort County
Aurora ● Bath ● Belhaven ● Chocowinity, Pantego ● Washington ● Washington Park
Martin County
Bear Grass ● Everetts ● Hamilton
Hassell ● Jamesville ● Oak City ● Parmele Robersonville ● Williamston
Pitt County
Bethel ● Falkland ● Farmville ● Fountain Grifton ● Grimesland
History
In 2000, the State of North Carolina recognized the need for more coordinated transportation planning in rural North Carolina areas not within a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) by enacting Chapter 136, Article 17, Section 136-210-213 of the General Statutes. This provided for the development of Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs).
In 2002, the Mid-East Rural Planning Organization (MERPO) was created through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Beaufort County, Martin County, Pitt County, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The MOU designated the Mid-East Commission, a Regional Council of Governments, to serve as the Lead Planning Agency (LPA) for MERPO.
The Mid-East RPO is one of 18 Rural Planning Organizations in North Carolina, and provides the following core services to Beaufort County, Martin County, and the non-MPO areas of Pitt County:
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Coordinate, assist and develop local and regional plans
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Provide a forum for public participation in the transportation planning and implementation process
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Provide transportation-related information to local governments
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Develop and prioritize projects the organization believes should be included in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
