Thank you for joining us.
Today is an eventful day for the department and it's particularly meaningful for me.
I'll start by sharing some great news with you.
During my first ten months as Secretary, I've been taking a hard look at the special issues affecting transportation across the state.
As a result, one of my top priorities is MAINTENANCE.
During the last 50 years, this department invested great effort in road building, earning the name of "THE GOOD ROADS STATE."
This investment certainly paid off because our roads have played a vital role in our state's growth.
But if we want to keep up with the needs of our growing population, we must be able to maintain the roads that we build.
Our state's budget shortfall has made meeting our maintenance needs particularly challenging.
However, as part of the budget bill, the General Assembly passed a special provision allowing the department to use a portion of its cash balances-about $420 million-for maintenance during the next three years.
We applaud the General Assembly's support and passage of this landmark legislation, which is the most significant transportation legislation since the Highway Trust Fund in 1989.
At our November Board meeting earlier this month, the Board approved $65 million worth of projects that will begin as soon as construction permits.
We expect another $88 million to be approved next week at our December meeting.
In the first year alone we will improve more than 400 miles of highways.
In Currituck County, for example, we'll be improving more than 26 miles of U.S. 158.
In Camden, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties, we'll be improving nearly 15 miles of U.S. 17 and in Washington County, we'll improve more than 6 miles of U.S. 64.
Let me put in perspective for you how important this legislation is.
Under our current funding system, it might be many years before some of these roads would ever be resurfaced.
In fact, some of these projects would not have been completed for many generations.
Because there are two more years left in the program-$135 million in both the second and third years, we expect to improve many more areas across the state.
Contracts for maintenance projects for the second year will be let in 2002 and, for the third year, in 2003.
Another one of my goals has been to expand transportation infrastructure in our rural areas-and again, we've made great progress.
As a native of a small town in Johnston County, I have always been a champion of our rural areas.
Rural North Carolina has played an important role in our state and our nation's heritage-these areas have been the scene of important historic events, they offer some of the most beautiful countryside in the world and they have nurtured many noted leaders.
It is true that these areas have yielded some of the state's most industrious people-and among them are our farmers, who still feed our citizens.
In fact, it was the farm roads that helped build our state by MOVING GOODS to the MARKETPLACE.
There's no reason why our farm roads shouldn't continue this tradition and become the spokes in the economic development wheel.
Based on the vibrant history of our rural regions, I know that their potential is unlimited.
That's why, throughout my association with the Department, first as a Board member for eight years and now, as Secretary, I have been committed to helping build a strong future for these areas.
With this aim, we have been working on the development of rural transportation planning organizations-or RPOs-across the state.
On Sept. 26, we announced a new RPO for the Mid-Carolina region, representing Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett and Sampson counties.
RPOs are voluntary organizations composed of local elected officials and local transportation system representatives that will serve in an advisory role for the department.
They will help the department develop long-range local and regional multi-modal transportation plans.
RPOs will also develop and prioritize suggestions for transportation projects to be included in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Today we announce the formation of the Albemarle RPO, representing the counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
And although this is our fifth RPO announcement, I'm especially proud of this latest organization.
The Albemarle RPO sets a new precedent because, with ten counties, it's the largest RPO to be formed so far.
This group is to be commended for such a high level of cooperation.
In every way, the Albemarle RPO is true to the spirit of Governor Easley's One North Carolina.
This organization will give leaders in rural areas the opportunity to take the lead in planning local transportation and to help shape the future of their regions.
For citizens, the Albemarle RPO will improve quality of life by providing more local public involvement opportunities in the transportation decision-making process.
More efficient transportation planning in our rural regions will improve economic development across the state, therefore benefiting all North Carolinians.
Today's announcement is a victory we all share.
In this spirit, I'd like to thank our partners in this effort.
I'll start by recognizing Paul Waff, this area's Board of Transportation member for his help in making this event happen.
Paul, please stand.
(WAFF STANDS. YOU LEAD APPLAUSE.)
Thank you.
Another important person is Billy Ray Hall, President of the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center.
The Rural Economic Development Center has been instrumental in the formation of our RPOs, with a commitment to provide 25 percent of the local matching funds for up to $5,000 each.
Although he couldn't be here today, I would like to thank Billy for his support.
And finally, I'd like to recognize Roger Sheats.
As all of you know, Roger is the department's first Deputy Secretary for Planning, the Environment and Local Government Affairs.
This position has been a great match for Roger's skills and a real bonus for the department.
Roger shares my commitment to strengthening rural North Carolina and he assures me that this event is one of many announcements that will be held as other RPOs are formed across the state.
Roger, please stand.
(SHEATS STANDS. LEAD APPLAUSE.)
At this time, I'd like to ask the following people to join me at the podium:
(REPRESENTATIVES JOIN YOU AT THE PODIUM.)
It is my honor to present to you a framed copy of the official charter for the Albemarle RPO.
(PRESENT FRAMED CHARTER TO THE GROUP. WILLIAM LEGGETT WILL ACCEPT THE CHARTER ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP.)
At this time, I'll call upon three representatives to give a response.
Please follow each other in the order that I call your name.
(YOU SIT DOWN. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO SPEAK AGAIN BECAUSE THE REPRESENTATIVES KNOW THAT THEY WILL SPEAK IN THE ORDER YOU CALL THEIR NAMES. AFTER THE REPRESENTATIVES SPEAK, WAFF CONCLUDES THE CEREMONY.)