North Carolina DOT Encroachment (Second Party Applicant Only - Form R/W 16) Bond
Overview
North Carolina's Department of Transportation requires a surety bond before it will grant an encroachment agreement to a second party applicant working within state right-of-way. This bond — filed on Form R/W 16 — guarantees that your work inside NCDOT-controlled right-of-way will be completed properly and that any damage to the right-of-way, highway facilities, or adjacent property will be remedied at your expense. Without it, NCDOT will not authorize your encroachment, and your project cannot legally proceed. Bond Titan makes it fast and straightforward to get bonded and move forward.
Who Needs This Bond?
If you are a utility company, telecommunications provider, developer, or private contractor who has applied to NCDOT for permission to perform work within a state highway right-of-way as a second party, this is your bond. NCDOT designates you a 'second party applicant' when you are the entity seeking the encroachment agreement — not the primary government entity — and it requires Form R/W 16 as the bond instrument. If you have received an encroachment application package from NCDOT and been told to provide a surety bond, you are in exactly the right place.
What is this Bond For?
This bond protects the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the traveling public from financial harm caused by a second party's failure to perform encroachment work according to NCDOT standards and the terms of the approved agreement. It covers damage to the highway, failure to restore the right-of-way to its required condition, and costs NCDOT incurs to complete or correct the work if you default. The bond holds you financially accountable throughout the duration of the approved encroachment activity.
When is it Required?
Renewal or continuation requirements follow the terms NCDOT sets within each individual encroachment agreement, so your bond must remain active for as long as your right-of-way authorization is in effect. You will need this bond in place before NCDOT will execute the encroachment agreement — meaning it is a prerequisite to breaking ground, not an afterthought. If your encroachment scope changes or your agreement is extended, NCDOT may require an updated or reissued bond to reflect the current authorization.
Where Does it Apply?
This bond applies statewide in North Carolina wherever NCDOT has jurisdiction over a state highway right-of-way. It is a state-level requirement administered by the North Carolina Department of Transportation — not a city or county permit bond. Any county or region of North Carolina where NCDOT controls the right-of-way is covered by this bond obligation.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' on this page to open the secure surety portal in a new tab, where you will complete your application and receive your bond documentation. The process is fully online, so there is no waiting on an agent to call you back or manually process your paperwork. Once issued, your bond is ready to submit to NCDOT with your Form R/W 16 encroachment package.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency and built specifically for businesses that need a surety bond now — not next week. Our nationwide catalog includes state-specific bonds like this NCDOT encroachment bond that many local agents simply do not stock. You get a fast online purchase experience, instant access to your bond documents, and the backing of an experienced agency — without the phone tag.