NC S592

Allows the Department of Transportation to maintain or pave roads adjoining historic properties, scenic areas, or low-volume business/agribusiness ventures in a manner consistent with original construction rather than current standards, with the property owner's consent.

Permits the Department to use alternative standards, maintain original roadbeds, apply historical standards from when the road was constructed, or leave roads unpaved if the owner withholds consent to standard upgrades.

Authorizes the Department to pave roads to current standards without owner consent only if road conditions jeopardize public safety, based on vehicle traffic, road condition, speed limit, crash history, and economic effects.

Requires the Department to compensate property owners for depreciation in historic, scenic, or business goodwill value of their property if the road is paved to current standards under the safety exception.

Excludes roads kept unpaved or nonstandard under this act from secondary roads annual work program calculations and from county road funding determinations.