Good morning.
It is good to see so many of you here today.
Cam is doing an outstanding job on the Board—and I want to thank him for his hard work and dedication to transportation in this state.
I’d also like to recognize Jack Poole—a former Board member whom I had the pleasure of serving with for many years.
Today’s ceremony marks an important milestone in the history of Kinston—a town whose rural beginnings offered a solid foundation of growth, community and prosperity.
By the early 1900’s, Kinston was a leading provider of tobacco—but also boasted a number of factories, merchants, gristmills and sawmills.
Now, as we’ve entered the 21st century, Kinston has emerged as a leader in the state’s efforts to transform our rural areas into globally competitive economic centers.
The Crescent Road portions that we open and break ground on today will help Kinston get that much closer to their goal.
Today we officially open a 2.3-mile segment from Rouse Road to N.C. 58.
And we’ll break ground on the next section—a 2.1-mile segment from Rouse Road to U.S. 258.
When complete, Crescent Road will be an 8.4-mile multi-lane highway from U.S. 70 to N.C. 58 in Kinston.
It will be a major highway link that will connect it to a greater transportation network, which includes:
This network also includes Norfolk Southern as the main supplier of rail access in the region—while the Morehead City Port serves as the major sea connector.
Crescent Road has been a priority in Kinston for a long time—and today, it has finally come to fruition.
I understand it has been in Kinston’s Thoroughfare plan for 25 years—and was the reason local leaders formed the Lenoir County Transportation Committee.
Crescent Road was truly a community endeavor—and because of the work of this committee, the citizens of Kinston have a valuable new transportation resource.
This new highway will help reduce traffic in the northern half of the city—as well as enhance the quality of life for motorists living in this region.
This is good news for an area that less than two years ago was struck with one of the worst natural disasters this state has ever seen.
All of us can recall in 1998 when the floods of Hurricanes Floyd and Dennis ravaged eastern North Carolina--taking lives, homes and businesses.
These disasters left Kinston vulnerable and changed forever.
But they didn’t take away our dreams or our determination.
And while we worked hard to rebuild roads and bridges in this area, you worked even harder to help rebuild your communities.
In the midst of storms and floods, we should all be thankful for the progress Eastern North Carolina continues to make.
Opening Crescent Road today is evidence of that progress.
And the North Carolina Global TransPark has been an important partner in this progress.
There are several members of the Lenoir County Transportation Committee and the Global TransPark that I’d like to recognize today.
(LEAD APPLAUSE.)
These folks know the importance of economic development—and what it means for Eastern North Carolina.
The GTP has emerged as an innovative public-private partnership with the potential to reshape the traditional industrial park concept.
The unique thing about the GTP is how it integrates transportation with business: a feature that attracts and supports manufacturing, distribution—as well as agribusiness and transportation related companies.
And since transportation infrastructure is a key component to the GTP, it is only fitting that we gather today to open and break ground on Crescent Road.
Crescent Road is part of a comprehensive planning effort of a fully integrated highway, air, rail and nearby sea transportation network.
These infrastructure projects are crucial to Lenoir County’s economic development.
That’s why I have an aggressive agenda for our rural areas--we are committed to providing the transportation infrastructure necessary to help rural communities attract new industry and jobs.
We are placing a special focus on these communities who have sometimes been lost in the shuffle.
By focusing our attention and resources on projects such as Crescent Road, we are helping to reshape the destiny of rural North Carolina.
Crescent Road is just one example of that commitment.
As we cut the ribbon on the first segment—Rouse Road to N.C. 58--we rejoice in a dream finally realized for Kinston, Lenoir County and the entire state.
And I’m proud to add that this dream was realized seven months ahead of schedule.
Next, as we break ground on the second phase—from Rouse Road to U.S. 258, we are energized by the promises of the future—and by the great potential this region holds for our state.
Construction on this segment will begin later this month—and it is scheduled for completion in December 2003.
The third and final phase—from U.S. 258 to U.S. 70—is in the planning phase right now, with right-of-way expected to begin in 2003.
We are being extremely careful, as there are some environmental concerns for this part of Crescent Road.
There are some environmentally sensitive areas--as well as some historic property concerns.
Right now, we are following the environmental planning procedures—and have held a citizen’s informational workshop to educate everyone about the four possible choices for the final route.
Once the environmental studies are complete, we will draw up preliminary designs for each of the proposed routes for citizens to review.
Before I close, I’d like to commend your leadership here in Lenoir County and the town of Kinston who are busy working on economic development issues.
Your commitment and hard work continues to sustain the ongoing vision for this region.
As we consider the transportation needs statewide, we must also address the challenges faced in our rural areas.
For our rural communities, we’ll find ways to enhance growth while still planning for the future.
We will continue to bring the kind of success and progress the people of North Carolina deserve.
We must plan responsibly and work together on projects that will benefit all of us.
Crescent Road will ensure a brighter future for this region and state.
I think that this is the true embodiment of Governor Easley’s vision for "One North Carolina."
Thank you.