Remarks for Secretary Lyndo Tippett
Triangle J Council of Governments Regional Managers Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005 at Noon
Durham
Introduction
Thank you, Dee, for that introduction.
I am honored to have the opportunity to speak with you about the important relationship between NCDOT and local government officials like you.
Before I begin, I'd like to introduce three of my key staff members who work hand-in-hand with local government.
Roger Sheats is our Deputy Secretary for Environment, Planning and Local Government Affairs. Roger oversees the department's work to improve and enhance the environment and, in this role, he works closely with local governments across the state to plan and coordinate transportation projects.
Also with us is Miriam Perry, our Public Transportation Division Director. Miriam is an outstanding advocate for public transportation, and she relies on the partnership of local governments to help our state's communities achieve their transit goals.
Additionally, we have with us Deputy Division 5 Engineer Wally Bowman. He works closely with Division Engineer Jon Nance to coordinate daily highway operations in Wake, Durham, Person, Granville, Vance, Franklin and Warren counties.
NCDOT and Local Government
A close working relationship between local government and the department is essential for the continued prosperity of our state, and I would like to personally thank you for your ongoing commitment to providing high quality transportation to this region.
Our partnership over the past four years has allowed us to make great progress in the Triangle and across the state- from improving project delivery to better protecting our environment and expanding alternative modes of transportation.
As you all know, a modern, well-connected transportation infrastructure is a necessity for the economic growth of all of our state's municipalities, from the largest city to the smallest community.
And as more and more people choose to call this area of North Carolina home, a modern multi-modal transportation system will become an essential part of our daily lives.
By 2025, North Carolina's population is expected to more than double, putting an additional strain on our infrastructure and elevating the need for additional funding.
Last year, vehicles in North Carolina traveled an estimated 94 billion miles and this number is expected to rise more than double by 2020.
In fact, some of our completed projects have reached 20-year projected traffic volumes within the first 10 years.
When the majority of our primary and secondary highways were constructed half a century ago, traffic volumes were far less than what motorists experience today.
Many routes were originally designed and constructed as farm to market roads, not as the primary highways they have become today.
To bring all of North Carolina's roads to modern standards, the department must explore new funding options and continue to anticipate future growth.
We are doing all we can to keep up with this increasing demand, but we can't do it all alone.
As the needs of this region and this state continue to grow, we will rely increasingly on your partnership and insight.
Statewide Transportation Plan
Several years ago, we began developing a long-range statewide transportation plan that was adopted by the Board of Transportation last fall.
That plan anticipates a $16 billion gap between transportation needs and funding over the next 10 years, and nearly $30 billion over the next 25 years.
This is partly due to the fact that in North Carolina, the state is tasked with a substantial portion of the burden to fund local transportation improvements.
According to the recent census report, North Carolina ranks 19th nationally in per capita highway expenditures on the state level, but only 49th in those same expenditures on the local level.
As you can see, this is a problem that affects our entire state, not just one region or city, and we must all work together to develop a solution.
That's where you all come in.
As a department, we value your work and take your recommendations seriously when determining our transportation priorities for this region and making sure we are using our resources wisely.
After all, the people who best know the needs of a particular community are those who live there.
MPOs and RPOs play a central role in maintaining a positive working relationship between state and local government by keeping lines of communication open and facilitating the completion of vital projects.
N.C. Thinking Ahead!
The department has already undertaken several efforts in which I know many of have been involved.
The most recent of these is the formation of a new transportation working group known as N.C. Thinking Ahead!.
Ellis is a member of this group, and I thank him for his hard work to make it a success.
N.C. Thinking Ahead! was commissioned by Gov. Easley to explore ways to help us meet our future transportation needs.
The group recently held a series of regional forums across the state to gauge public opinion on transportation funding options. Many of you may have attended the forum held here in the Triangle, and I thank you for your input.
These forums generated numerous new ways to help fund transportation improvements in North Carolina.
The group is also conducting a survey, which is available on the department's Web site until the end of the month, to gather data on the public's thoughts about transportation issues. Nearly 4,700 people have already completed this survey. The survey is online at www.ncdot.org. Individuals without Internet access can also call I-877-DOT-4-YOU to complete the survey over the phone.
N.C. Thinking Ahead! will use the results of these two tools to make recommendations about transportation financing to Gov. Easley in the coming months.
N.C. Turnpike Authority
Along with the formation of N.C. Thinking Ahead!, NCDOT has also recently helped develop the N.C. Turnpike Authority, which is charged with overseeing the construction of up to nine toll facilities across the state.
The Authority is currently moving forward with four projects, including the Cape Fear Skyway/Wilmington Southern Bridge, the Gaston East-West Connector and the Monroe Connector, both in the Charlotte area, and perhaps of most local interest, the Triangle Parkway here in Raleigh-Durham.
The Triangle Parkway is estimated to cost $100 million and will extend from N.C. 147/Durham Freeway to I-540, helping reduce congestion around Research Triangle Park.
While exact timetables are currently being established, the earliest any of these projects will be up and running is 2010.
Local Projects
In addition to the work of these two new groups, I would like to highlight a number of other local projects that are a direct result of our partnership with local governments in this region.
Highway Improvements
First, we recently worked with Chatham County officials to bring a modern water system to the community of Silk Hope and Silk Hope Elementary School, which have relied on well water for years. NCDOT helped install water lines along the Rocky River Bridge on U.S. 64 as part of this project.
We are also working with the City of Sanford on a Moving Ahead! project to improve safety and mobility along N.C. 78 by widening the highway and installing turn lanes and a traffic signal near Southern Lee High School and Central Carolina Community College's Emergency Services Training Center.
As work progresses on the U.S. 70 Clayton Bypass in Johnston County, NCDOT is minimizing the impact of construction on local residents by restricting work on the project to daytime hours near residences and restricting lane closures on major roadways during peak commuting times.
NCDOT's construction unit has also developed an e-mail distribution list to give residents updates about the status of the bypass and upcoming work.
Rail Improvements
Not only are we continuing to make highway improvements throughout the region, but we are also working to expand alternative modes of transportation.
I am pleased to report that our rail division and the City of Durham have recently agreed upon the site of Durham's new train station in the historic Walker Building between Brightleaf Square and the American Tobacco Historic District.
The rail division has also recently completed improvements throughout Wake County to facilitate higher train speeds safely through these communities.
Not only will these improvements allow passenger and freight trains to reach their destinations faster, but they will reduce the amount of time busy road corridors are closed due to train crossings.
We also worked with town leaders in Pine Level to close three crossings while making significant improvements at the Main Street crossing, the primary route into downtown.
This resulted in a safer rail crossing, a smoother road section and a more visually attractive town entrance.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
On the bicycle and pedestrian front, the department is currently working with Chapel Hill/Carrboro leaders to install wider shoulders along Homestead Road near Chapel Hill High School in Orange County to facilitate bicycle traffic.
In addition, last spring, we celebrated the opening of the Reedy Creek Greenway's second phase in Raleigh, which gives citizens the opportunity to visit several of the city's major cultural attractions without using their automobiles.
Without a strong partnership with the City of Raleigh, this project would not have been possible.
Public Transportation Improvements
Our work to expand alternative modes of travel also includes upgrades to area public transportation systems.
For the past two years we have enabled the Moore County Transit System, which is funded by NCDOT, to use four vans to provide daily transit service for 55 special needs children from homes across Moore County to a center in Richmond County.
The department has also been working closely with transit systems throughout Region J to enhance connectivity among public transportation systems and improve regional services.
Local governments last month agreed to work toward the development of a seamless public transportation service in the Triangle, including coordinated schedules and fares. The group is also working to improve service to non-urbanized parts of the triangle.
To aid in the development of a regional system, NCDOT provided more than $3 million in state public transportation technology funds to help acquire new standardized fare equipment for Triangle-area transit agencies.
As many of you know, the Brier Creek development in Raleigh has experienced tremendous retail and residential growth over the past few years, generating an increased need for public transit to and from the area.
The department is working with Capital Area Transit, the Durham Area Transit Authority and the Triangle Transit Authority to bring bus service to this region and to provide employees from Raleigh and Durham with transportation to work in Brier Creek establishments.
Light Rail
As we continue to enhance public transportation in our state, we are also partnering with TTA to bring light rail to this area.
We believe that regional rail will not only reduce the number of motorists on our highways, but also provide expanded mobility opportunities for individuals who do not drive.
In April 2003, we executed a full-funding grant agreement with the agency, committing ourselves to providing one-half of the non-federal share of the regional rail project up to 25 percent of the total cost, depending on state appropriations.
In addition, as with all public transit agencies, we provide TTA with one half of the non-federal match for major capital items, such as buses and the construction of shelters and terminals.
By working closely with transit agencies such as the TTA, we are preparing North Carolina's transportation infrastructure for the future growth this state will experience in the coming years.
Conclusion
As I said earlier, as this region continues to grow, we will depend more and more on your partnership to ensure that all citizens and communities maintain a transportation infrastructure that is sufficient to meet their needs.
It is through this close coordination that we are all able to fulfill Gov. Easley's vision for One North Carolina and give citizens throughout the state the opportunity to prosper.
Thank you for inviting me here today and for your continued efforts to improve quality of life in your communities.