Thank you, Grant, for that introduction.
It's a pleasure to be here today.
I always enjoy meeting engineers because I get to mix with the true "movers and shakers" of North Carolina.
It's this group that has designed, built and improved the infrastructure that has supported our state's growth throughout the years.
This infrastructure includes more than 78,000 miles of highway in North Carolina-no small amount.
That's why your work is so important. My goal, as Secretary of Transportation, is to help Governor Easley fulfill his vision for One North Carolina by bringing quality transportation within reach of all citizens.
In support of this goal, I have planned a VIGOROUS AGENDA for improving transportation across our state during the next four years.
If you asked me to sum up my agenda in one word, that word would be PROGRESS.
That's good news for our state-and it's good news for you, the civil engineer.
To help us stay focused on what's important, I've produced these agenda cards, which outline the nine goals and commitments I've made as Secretary.
As you can see, MAINTENANCE is at the top of my list.
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 progress.
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.
I'm sure all of you are aware of our state's budget shortfall, which makes meeting our maintenance needs particularly challenging.
We're doing all we can to reduce this shortfall, starting with internal efficiencies and I'm pleased to say that already we have made much progress.
From streamlining the construction process to reducing administrative costs, we have strengthened our operations as well as improved our efficiency.
We've also been working with the General Assembly on our maintenance backlog.
They share my concern and there is legislation in the works that will result in at least $150 million for pavement preservation each year for the next three years.
Maintenance is a statewide issue; however, there are other transportation challenges that differ from our urban to our rural regions.
Attacking these challenges require a specialized approach.
For urban areas such as Triangle, it's very simple: we must reduce the number of cars on our roads.
Just as Gov. Scott worked so hard to "get us out of the mud" 50 years ago, we must now "get out of traffic congestion."
Traffic congestion is frustrating for everyone-it is unproductive, it raises our stress level and it creates unsafe conditions along our highways.
In June, I announced measures to improve traffic flow along I-40 in the Triangle and I-77 in Charlotte-two of the most congested highways in the state.
In Charlotte, we're currently examining the feasibility of an HOV lane along I-77, which will help ease congestion by increasing capacity.
For the Triangle, we determined that HOV lanes would not work for I-40 at this time; however, we are taking other steps including the construction of a temporary connector road from I-540 to Slater Road to provide relief until I-540 is extended to N.C. 55.
Construction for this $500,000 road will begin soon with completion scheduled for the beginning of 2002.
Another project I'm very excited about is the U.S. 64 Knightdale Bypass, which will run from U.S. 64 Business in Wendell to Interstate 440 in Raleigh.
This new 6-lane, 11-mile bypass will relieve congestion along U.S. 64 for local commuters in eastern Wake County -- as well as for those traveling across eastern North Carolina.
On July 5, we announced that we would be completing the Knightdale Bypass three years ahead of schedule using innovative contracting and finance methods.
We will construct the project as a Design-Build project and fund the project through the department's cash flow process using cash balances.
Traditionally, DOT fully designs transportation projects prior to receiving bids and awarding projects to contractors.
Under a Design-Build process, contractors perform the design and construction work as part of one contract.
Because this process allows the contractor innovations and efficiencies that can result in a reduction in project delivery time by as much as 1 ½ years-Design-Build is truly groundbreaking.
In addition to the Knightdale Bypass, other design-build projects include the widening of I-77 in Charlotte in northern Mecklenburg County from I-85 to I-485 and the widening of I-26 in Henderson County from 4 to 6 lanes.
Another local project that I'm particularly proud of is the continuing progress of Interstate 540 or the Raleigh Outer Loop.
On June 29 we completed the 4.3-mile section of I-540 from Creedmoor Road (N.C. 50) to Falls of the Neuse Road.
This road will help ease congestion from Strickland Road and other major arterial roads in north Raleigh.
It features a new design at Six Forks Road called a single point urban interchange that directs turning traffic through a single signal so that all left turns come together on top of the bridge.
This design, which is the first of its kind in Raleigh, is a technique used in urban areas to help move traffic quickly and safely and conserve right-of-way.
The next section of the Loop, from Falls of the Neuse Road to Capital Boulevard, is under construction now with completion scheduled for summer 2002.
As we consider transportation needs statewide, we're also focusing on our RURAL AREAS.
While our urban areas are continuing to enjoy economic growth, our rural communities have lagged behind.
Because I grew up in a small town, I will always be a champion for our rural communities.
After all, it was our farm roads that supported our state by MOVING GOODS to the MARKETPLACE.
The same roads must now MOVE PEOPLE to the WORKPLACE.
I strongly believe that farm roads can now become the spokes in the economic development wheel.
That's why I am committed to providing the transportation infrastructure necessary to support industry across the state.
The 2002-2008 Transportation Improvement Program-approved by the Board of Transportation in June will help by setting aside $140 million in a special fund to support industrial growth.
This fund will allow DOT to work with the Department of Commerce to fulfill economic needs without negatively affecting other projects in the TIP.
Earlier this year I named Roger Sheats as the department's first-ever Deputy Secretary for the Environment, Planning and Local Government Affairs.
He will work with rural and metropolitan planning organizations to build a unified planning network and improve coordination of transportation improvements with local governments.
Having Roger on my team is very valuable because he also shares my deep commitment to protecting and improving North Carolina's great natural resources-which is another priority on my agenda.
When transportation improvements are planned early and with great care, we can not only protect the environment, we can improve it.
With this aim, I've been working to expand efforts that protect what makes our state so special-from wetland and stream restoration, to wildflower and beautification projects.
Another initiative that will improve our environment is the development of a MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM.
A mass transit system will not only improve congestion, it will also help us better plan for the future by offering citizens an alternative to the car.
That's why I will continue to push for an expansion of rail and public transportation across our state.
In March we unveiled our plan to bring passenger rail back to Western North Carolina.
This five-phase plan includes operating a bus service from Salisbury to Asheville, renovating or building train stations and beginning passenger rail service in 2005.
In May, we released the results of a study on the feasibility of passenger rail for southeastern North Carolina.
While the work initially focused on a Wilmington to Charlotte rail service, the study ultimately revealed that interest is greater for a rail service that would connect Wilmington residents to the Northeast U.S. Corridor and Raleigh.
Based on this information, we are now analyzing three routes: Wilmington to Charlotte; Wilmington to Fayetteville and Raleigh; and Wilmington to Goldsboro to Raleigh.
As you can see, we've got a lot of work ahead of us in the near future-and the Department of Transportation is going to keep you very busy over the next few years.
The current TIP includes $9.6 billion in construction and nearly 2,700 projects across the state during the next 7 years.
This year alone we plan to let more than $1 billion in construction contracts.
In addition to these commitments, the General Assembly has authorized the department to license one private toll facility.
The General Assembly also authorized the department to conduct a public toll feasibility study, which we completed in February.
The results of this study were very positive for the state.
It was determined that toll funding is a highly feasible alternative to traditional funding and that this process can help us meet critical transportation needs much more quickly.
Another item of interest to you is that the General Assembly is also considering legislation that would transfer an additional $15 million from the Highway Trust Fund for the next three years to develop "shelf" projects.
These funds would be used for the design and environmental work to develop transportation projects that could be ready for construction when other projects are delayed.
Already we outsource about 35 percent of the department's design and construction work-and should this proposal pass, it is safe to say that we will depend on assistance from the private sector even more in the future.
It's more important than ever that NCDOT and ASCE continue to work together as PARTNERS for the good of transportation in our state.
The state's budget crunch emphasizes the need for creative thinking and proactive planning.
As a CPA, my clients relied on me to assist them as their businesses changed over time-and I know that managing change is just as important in government as it is in business.
I've also learned to appreciate the importance of a STRONG TEAM and it is this that makes me so optimistic about the challenges ahead.
But most important of all, I know that I can count on the assistance of LEADERS LIKE YOU.
It's very clear to me that everyone here today takes great pride in our state and that you are committed to building a strong future.
I will enjoy working with all of you to continue to improve transportation.
You can help by making the nine goals on these cards YOUR NINE GOALS.
Make this agenda YOUR AGENDA AND HELP ME MOVE NORTH CAROLINA FORWARD.
Together we can build the kind of transportation system that strengthens our state and will make One North Carolina a reality.
Thank you for inviting me to join you today.