Thank you, Judy, for that introduction.
I always enjoy coming to Asheville-particularly in the summer.
These mountain breezes are a welcome escape from the 90-degree heat we're currently experiencing in the Triangle.
But it's not just the climate and the natural beauty that make this city so special.
Asheville has long enjoyed a reputation for its hospitality and strong cultural heritage-from your Native American roots to your thriving artistic community.
For all of these reasons, it's only natural that we would choose Asheville as the site of SASHTO 2001-the annual meeting of the Southeastern Association of State Highway Transportation Officials.
We're very proud to host SASHTO this year from August 25-28 at the Grove Park Inn.
During this time, we expect about 1,200 delegates from 13 transportation departments to attend, bringing more than $1 million in economic impact.
Rick, you and your staff-particularly Gwen Chalker-have made our jobs a lot easier in the planning of this conference and we really appreciate all you have done.
Asheville has always been a popular place to do business.
With its strategic location within the southeastern United States and excellent access to Interstates 40, 26 and U.S. 19/23, this city is convenient to a number of major cities.
It's very clear that you have taken great care to balance your growth with the environment.
You've worked with city leaders, citizens and businesses to create the Asheville-Buncombe VISION plan-laying out a long-range plan for where you want to be in the future.
I commend this Chamber for its foresight and commitment to sustainable development.
The Department of Transportation also has a strong environmental ethic.
I'm very proud of the fact that our current Board of Transportation has formed its first-ever Environmental Committee.
The mission of this group is to provide environmental leadership on all aspects of the department's work.
Alan Thornburg, your Board of Transportation member for this area, sits on this committee and you may be assured that he will work hard to see that transportation improvements are carried out in a responsible way.
This community has always been very progressive about protecting what makes this area so special.
That's because you recognize the important connection between quality of life and transportation.
In my position as Secretary of Transportation, it's vital that I have an opportunity to meet with leaders like you and hear what's on your mind.
My experience as a CPA and my background as a business owner have given me a unique outlook on the state's transportation challenges.
When I was sworn in, I pledged to help Governor Easley fulfill his vision for One North Carolina by bringing quality transportation within reach of all citizens.
The 2002-2008 Transportation Improvement Program is an important step in this direction.
This $9.6-billion plan is the blueprint for meeting North Carolina's transportation needs during the next seven years and includes nearly 2,700 projects across the state.
The draft TIP was reviewed by citizens for eight months and as a result, focuses on those issues of most concern-safety, the environment and fiscal responsibility.
No question about it-safety is one of the department's top priorities.
The good news is that the 2002-2008 TIP will enable us to continue installing median guardrail along major highways.
This plan provides $34 million to install median guardrail along 286 miles of highway across the state.
Preserving North Carolina's natural resources is another important priority reflected in this TIP.
The 2002-2008 TIP is also fiscally sound.
The welfare of the western region of North Carolina is very important to our state's success and the TIP includes some exciting transportation projects that will support this area's high quality of life.
I'll mention a few of the major ones briefly.
I know that everyone here is very interested in the I-26 connector in Asheville, which would join the existing Interstate 240 West and tie into the proposed extension of I-26 from Asheville to Tennessee.
Construction of this connector would improve I-240 west in this area to 8 lanes to safely accommodate additional traffic.
This particular corridor has been the result of 10 years of study and public involvement.
Our planning and environmental team is currently performing additional field studies and preliminary design for two of four alternatives.
We expect to hold a public hearing on these two alternatives in July 2002.
Following the final selection and design, we hope to begin right-of-way acquisition in August 2003 and to begin construction in 2005.
This connector is very important to Asheville and the state because it would connect this area to the improvements along U.S. 19/23 or I-26 in progress in Madison County, what is known as the A-10 project.
The A-10 project will tie this area to Johnson City, Tennessee and beyond, greatly increasing the potential for economic development in western North Carolina.
For the past few years, we've literally moved mountain and earth to make this project a reality.
Currently we're working on two grading projects through the rugged mountain terrain between Mars Hill and the Tennessee State line at Sam's Gap, a total length of 9 miles.
In anticipation of this project, we're relocating U.S. 23 in Madison County-which will become part of this extension.
We've also got a number of widening projects going on in Asheville.
We're widening U.S. 25A from Interstate 40 to Rock Hill Road from 2 lanes to 5 lanes with curb and gutter and we expect this project to be complete in December 2003.
We're also widening U.S. 74A from I-40 to Cane Creek Road from 2 lanes to 5 lanes with curb and gutter.
The new TIP supports MY AGENDA for improving transportation here in western North Carolina-and across the state.
To help us stay focused on what's important, I've produced these agenda cards, which I'm sharing with you today.
(HOLD UP CARD)
As you can see, at the top of my list is MAINTENANCE.
Over 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.
If we want to keep up with the needs of our growing population; however, we must be able to maintain the roads that we build.
We've been working with the General Assembly to find a way to meet these needs but we're also doing all we can internally, starting with efficiencies.
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.
All savings that we generate will be recycled directly into MAINTENANCE.
For the sake of our children and grandchildren, it's also critical that we PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT as we fulfill transportation needs.
During my leadership, I'll be expanding efforts that protect what makes our state so special-from wetland and stream restoration, to beautification projects like the ones along I-40 and U.S. 74A.
Another of my top priorities is to pay special attention to the challenges faced in our urban areas-which brings me to my next priority: MASS TRANSIT.
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."
In the past 30 years, the population in North Carolina increased 35 percent.
During this same time, vehicle miles traveled have increased by an alarming 200 percent.
Traffic congestion is frustrating for everyone-it is unproductive, it raises our stress level and it creates unsafe conditions along our highways.
Therefore, we must look at ways to increase capacity.
By increasing capacity, 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.
I know that one of this community's priorities is to increase public transit ridership and you have made great progress-last year the Asheville Transit Authority provided over 1 million trips to citizens.
In fiscal year 2001, the NCDOT provided Asheville Transit nearly $500,000 in operating assistance, $30,000 in federal and state funds to assist with MPO planning activities and nearly $3,000 to purchase computer equipment.
We're also improving passenger rail across the state.
Recently 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.
The City has been a true partner in this effort and has been particularly helpful in working with us to evaluate a site for the Asheville station.
We expect that the new budget being developed by the General Assembly will include funds for this new station.
This community has also been very proactive about building a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly culture.
We have invested in a number of bicycle and pedestrian projects in this area, including the W.T. Weaver Greenway.
The department has given $300,000 in funds to build this greenway on the campus of UNC-Asheville and will improve access to the university and residential areas.
We've also invested $300,000 to build a bike path from Amboy Road to Hominy Creek Road.
This one-mile path will be constructed along a scenic section of the French Broad River.
Both of these projects are in the design phase.
Through our federal enhancement program, we've contributed $337,000 in funds for pedestrian streetscape enhancements along the city's existing Urban Trail project. Funds will be used for public art, lighting and sidewalks. This project is underway and design work should be complete very soon.
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 new TIP will help by setting aside $140 million in a special fund to help support industrial growth.
This fund will allow the department to work with the Department of Commerce to fulfill economic needs without negatively affecting other projects in the TIP.
It's important to have a plan like the TIP because funds are tighter than ever across state government.
The state's budget crunch emphasizes the need for creative thinking.
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 to 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.
In Alan Thornburg we have a proven leader who is proud to serve you on the Board of Transportation.
This Division is also fortunate to have a strong and experienced manager in Division Engineer Dan Martin, who is represented by his talented Operations Engineer Ken Putnam.
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 the leaders here today take great pride in Asheville that you have made a significant investment in the future.
I look forward to working with all of you to continue to improve transportation in this area.
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 supports Asheville and will make One North Carolina a reality.
Thank you for inviting me to join you today and I look forward to being in Asheville again very soon.