• Transportation is about far more than improving mobility.
• It also serves as an important catalyst for economic development and opens the door to numerous business, educational and cultural opportunities.
• It is important that the citizens of our rural communities have access to high-quality transportation, and that's why we are so pleased to partner with Chancellor Burnim and Elizabeth City State University to improve our level of service to eastern North Carolina.

• I thank Chancellor Burnim for his strong support of this project and for providing the academic resources to make it a reality.
• Elizabeth City State University was selected for this project because of its location and its expertise on eastern North Carolina, and we are certainly proud to be working with such a qualified and knowledgeable partner in this endeavor.
• I'd also like to thank Dr. Scott Bradshaw, Dr. Reed Adams and Mr. Michael Worthington for their work to carry out this research. I look forward to the final results of your labor.
• There are several individuals joining me here today from NCDOT that have also been instrumental in the development of this partnership. I'd like to thank Deputy Secretary Willie Riddick, Special Assistant Everett Ward and Dr. Moy Biswas, State Research and Analysis Engineer, for their work to implement this project.
• Roger Sheats, our Deputy Secretary for Environment, Planning and Local Government Affairs could not join us today, but he also played a significant role in this undertaking.
• I'd also especially like to thank Mayor Fred Yates and Sharon Campbell of the Conference of Black Mayors for bringing this research need to our attention. It is because of their initial efforts that we are pursuing this important project.

• Thanks again for inviting us to join you today for such a special occasion.
• We look forward to improving transportation and quality of life for this region.

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