N.C. Gen. Stat. § 136-62
The citizens of the State shall have the right to present petitions to the board of county commissioners, and through the board to the Department of Transportation, concerning additions to the system and improvement of roads. The board of county commissioners shall receive such petitions, forwarding them on to the Board of Transportation with their recommendations. Petitions on hand at the time of the periodic preparation of the secondary road plan shall be considered by the representatives of the Department of Transportation in preparation of that plan, with report on action taken by these representatives on such petitions to the board of commissioners at the time of consultation. The citizens of the State shall at all times have opportunities to discuss any aspect of secondary road additions, maintenance, and construction, with representatives of the Department of Transportation in charge of the preparation of the secondary road plan, and if not then satisfied opportunity to discuss any such aspect with the division engineer, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Board of Transportation in turn.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 136-62