2005 Maintenance Engineer's Conference

Remarks for Secretary Tippett
2005 Maintenance Engineer's Conference
Hilton-Wilmington Riverside
Wilmington, N.C.
February 28 and March 14, 2005

Thank you, Jennifer, for that introduction.

We certainly appreciate the outstanding work that you and your colleagues in State Road Maintenance do to keep our highway system in good condition.

It is my pleasure to join you again this year for the Maintenance Engineers Conference, as we explore opportunities to raise our level of service to the citizens of North Carolina.

I understand that this year's conference is focused on "Change."

I think that this theme is very appropriate given the tremendous amount of change that has taken place within the department over the past several years.

As you can see, this change has brought about the theme reflected on the agenda cards in front of you - "New Perspectives. New Opportunities. A New NCDOT."

GREAT VALUE TO THE STATE
Over the past several years, we have truly taken transportation to new heights.

During the past few years, we have implemented many initiatives for transportation progress including:

Accelerating several projects of value to the state, including the U.S. 64 Knightdale Bypass, the U.S. 17 Windsor Bypass, the Maxton Bypass and the resurfacing of major highways like U.S. 70, U.S. 264 and U.S. 74;
Elevating TIP and other project lettings to an average of $1.2 billion each year;
Resurfacing and resealing nearly 20,000 miles of highway through routine maintenance contracts;
Putting our cash balances to work and creating innovative programs like S.B. 1005 following the recommendations of a legislative report;
Completing 136 economic development projects across the state through S.B. 1005;
As you all know, Senate Bill 1005 and N.C. Moving Ahead! have enabled us to make great strides in preserving and maintaining our highway system.
And citizens across the state have benefitted from the results of your hard work through smoother, safer routes.

THE COST OF PROGRESS

In the process of trying to meet the needs of citizens, we set our sights high - however, we realize that as any prudent business, we must deliver within our fiscal constraints.
As you all are aware, we recently learned that if we did not alter our present spending course, we risked reaching a funding crossroads by the fall of this year.
Instead of waiting, we are in the process of developing a budget adjustment plan.
It is important for me to stress that any program adjustments would be deferrals, and that no projects are being cancelled.
We are in the process of working with the Board of Transportation members on the plan.
However, I want to assure you that maintenance will continue to be a priority for the department.
We all must work together to do our part to use our transportation dollars in the most efficient ways possible.
That's why we must continue to explore new perspectives that will lead to new and better ways of doing business.

NEW PERSPECTIVES. NEW ATTITUDE. A NEW DOT.

As you can see from our agenda, we are a new department of transportation that is committed to increasing efficiency by thinking outside of the box.
This is a creative group, and I know that I can count on you all to continue to come up with innovative ways to meet our citizens needs.
Our funding challenges only underscore the need for a long-term solution.
That's why the adoption of the Long-range Statewide Transportation Plan by the Board of Transportation last year is so significant.
While the plan identified nearly a $30 billion gap between need and revenue, it will also enable the department to meet an additional 36 percent of maintenance and modernization needs over the next 25 years.
The plan serves as a long-term strategy that will help us to maximize our funds, maintain our existing infrastructure and provide North Carolinians with more transportation options.
This plan is just one of the ways I am promoting a new direction for DOT.
One of my top priorities has also been improving operating efficiencies and security through new technologies.
As part of these efforts, last summer the department launched a new travel information system known as 511.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Thanks to 511, the department now has another resource by which to relay information to citizens and increase safety and mobility.
As you know, 511 uses the information entered into Traveler Information Management System (TIMS).
And I want to thank each of you for ensuring that the system has accurate and timely information, whether it's routine work or inclement weather affecting travel.
This information has proven to be vital during crises such as the unprecedented number of tropical storms this past summer and recent weather events.
In fact, the system reached its first milestone this month- having received over 500,000 calls.
Over 20,000 of these calls were received just during a four-day period of inclement weather in January.
During these times, it's especially important that we work together on solutions that will ensure safe travel for motorists - giving them a little extra peace of mind.
I commend you for your collaboration with local city and town officials during hurricane and wintry weather events over the past year.
I realize that the work you do is often challenging and you have to leave your families and daily work routines in order to respond to these events.
I want to express my gratitude for all that you and your staff do to keep our highways safe and get citizens moving again.

REST OF THE AGENDA

As you can see from our agenda, we have a number of exciting initiatives underway at the department.

For example, we plan to continue to expand commuter options like the HOV lanes in Charlotte on the I-77 corridor, providing motorists who choose to carpool, vanpool or ride public transit with quicker, more reliable commute times.

We also plan to continue to expand diversity within the department, as well as our contracting community, through the Office of Civil Rights and Business Development (OCR).

The department, in partnership with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, continues to be recognized for the Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) - a program that implements stream and wetland mitigation years in advance of construction.

We are also enhancing opportunities for citizens through improvements to customer service, giving the public a stronger voice in the department's operations.

CHARGE TO ENGINEERS As you can see, we have made many great strides in promoting transportation progress, but as you know, our needs are great.

And all across the department, we have already rolled up our sleeves.

After all, the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.

I know you all share this same philosophy, because we could not accomplish so much without your hard work.

We will continue to look for operating efficiencies to create more opportunities to meet transportation needs across the state.

And we will continue to explore many options for transportation funding, including our work with the N.C. Turnpike Authority, which will be studying four new toll roads across the state.

But the gap between needs and revenue cannot be closed by NCDOT alone.

That's why we will continue to look to the General Assembly and local governments to help us develop new ways to meet our state's transportation needs.

It was through bold leadership that North Carolina earned its reputation as the "Good Roads" state.

And we must use that same innovative spirit today to make bold decisions, maintain our reputation and keep North Carolina moving forward.

As maintenance engineers, I know that you all understand the important role you have in meeting this challenge.

And I know that with your ingenuity and dedication, we can keep North Carolina the "Good Roads" state.

Thank you.

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