Thank you, Phil, for that introduction.
Being here today is a special treat for me.
This is the first tax season in years that I’ve been able to take a lunch break!
And I’m especially glad to be able to spend it here—with all of you.
Even though I’m in Raleigh 5 days a week, Fayetteville will always be my home.
Being a part of this community—as a CPA, business owner, parent and citizen—has prepared me well for my new role as Secretary of Transportation.
It’s this experience that will guide me as I help Governor Easley build One North Carolina—a state where EVERY COMMUNITY MATTERS and EVERY PERSON COUNTS.
Cities like Fayetteville form the backbone of One North Carolina.
It’s no surprise that Fayetteville is our sixth largest city.
In fact, over the past 10 years, this city has grown by nearly 60 percent—jumping from more than 75,000 to over 121,000 citizens.
We have a lot to be proud of here—from the successful revitalization of our downtown to Ft. Bragg and of course, our Airborne & Special Operations Museum.
As you know, this museum is featured on the cover of our state transportation map.
I’ve brought with me today a reprinted version, which is hot off the press.
You should know that you’re the first group to see this latest version.
Our first printing was very popular.
Having used those, we were low on supplies and during the reprint process we have made a few changes.
You’ll be pleased to see that we’ve included an interior picture of the museum on the reverse and identified the museum on the Fayetteville inset map—to encourage citizens to visit as well as friends throughout the world.
Our museum is a true showplace, not just for Fayetteville but also for our state.
This city is an important hub of economic activity for southeastern North Carolina and it’s up to us to share our prosperity with other areas of the state, particularly our rural communities—through improved access to jobs, schools and services.
Safe and convenient highways are critical to improving access and I’m pleased to see that we’ve got a lot of construction going on in this area.
Construction of the section of the Outer Loop from Ramsey Street to I-95 is going strong—the interchange with the Outer Loop and I-95 will be let December 2001.
I’m very excited about this project—it will be a source of pride for us in the future.
We’re also widening Hope Mills Road in Hope Mills from south of Camden Road to Raeford Road from 2 lanes to 5.
This project should be complete in November 2003.
Another important area project is the widening of N.C 87 north and south of Fayetteville.
We’re improving this highway from two lanes to a four-lane divided facility to relieve congestion, limit the numbers of crossings and to keep traffic flowing.
Widening of N.C. 87 South of Fayetteville
Widening of N.C. 87 North of Fayetteville
We’ve also got a number of resurfacing projects in this area.
These roads are in great need of repair and we’re fortunate that we have the funds to address these problems beginning this summer.
We’ll be milling and resurfacing:
We’ll be milling, resurfacing and providing drainage improvements at various sections of U.S. 301 from the Robeson County line northward to the Cape Fear River at N.C. 24.
And we’ll be resurfacing U.S. 13 from Kennel Road northward to the Sampson County line.
All of this resurfacing work should be complete by November of this year.
Quality transportation is fundamental to the Governor’s vision of One North Carolina.
On March 12, the Governor submitted a budget to the General Assembly that will help fulfill this vision.
In addition to providing funds for critical areas such as education and healthcare, his budget includes an additional $73 million for highway maintenance, $30 million for public transportation and $28 million for rail during the next two years.
These proposals all fit with MY AGENDA for improving transportation here in Fayetteville—and 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.
It’s only natural that the wear and tear would start to show, a process that has been aided by the harsh weather we’ve experienced in recent years.
If we want to keep up with the needs of our growing population, we must be able to maintain the roads that we build.
Although the new budget will help, we’ll still have about $220 million in unmet maintenance needs.
To secure more funds, we’re taking a hard look at operations across the board and as part of this special project, I’m collecting ideas from employees for efficiencies and cost savings from throughout DOT.
An example of such an efficiency is the recent repair of the bridges along I-95 in Dunn.
During these repairs, all-terrain forklifts were used to lift the replacement beams and put them in place.
Using this equipment eliminated the need for false supports, saving time as well as money.
The repair of the bridge at the interchange of U.S. 421 and
I-95—what would have normally resulted in 10-14 days of lane closures—was completed in just 2 ½ days.
But this is just one example.
We’ve already received a number of other excellent suggestions and over the next few weeks we’ll be evaluating these ideas and selecting those to be implemented.
Any savings that we generate will be put toward critical needs—starting with MAINTENANCE.
It’s more than good business to protect the investment that we’ve made in our highways—it’s common sense.
And it’s also common sense to plan for the future—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, 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.
Citizens in communities like Fayetteville depend on public transportation.
Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) operates 19 buses and 4 vans Monday-Saturday.
During this fiscal year, we’ve provided FAST with more than $400,000 in operating funds and more than $8,000 for 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 bus service from Salisbury to Asheville, renovating or building train stations and beginning passenger rail service in 2005.
We’re also looking at a similar plan for Eastern North Carolina.
In early 2000, we began studying travel patterns between the Triangle, Triad, Charlotte and Wilmington for possible passenger rail service to Eastern North Carolina.
Since operating and capital costs are high for any new intercity passenger rail service, the Wilmington area was chosen as the destination in coastal North Carolina most likely to be successful.
Three scenarios are being evaluated: Charlotte to Wilmington, Raleigh to Wilmington via Goldsboro, and Raleigh to Wilmington via Fayetteville.
We look forward to receiving the final report and recommendations, which will be released within the next few months.
Projects like these will help in the future, but we also must be proactive NOW.
As we consider the transportation needs statewide, we must pay special attention to the challenges faced in 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 know firsthand the value of our rural areas.
Fayetteville is also known for its good road infrastructure—but as you can see riding around, it is improving.
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 help these communities better attract industry and jobs.
We have much to be thankful for in North Carolina—especially our beautiful ENVIRONMENT.
Under my leadership, I plan to continue to take care of what makes our state so special, including wetlands, streams, our fragile coastal areas and wildlife.
I also will expand efforts that enhance and beautify our surroundings.
One effort that we’re especially proud of is our new monarch butterfly program.
Last year, we planted milkweed and butterfly weed in several locations along I-95 in this area.
Because these plants are an important food source for the monarch, we hope that these new habitats will help support this butterfly when they begin arriving in North Carolina in 3 weeks.
Our Roadside Environmental Unit is also working with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce on a beautification project at U.S. 301 between the N.C. 87 overpass and Gillespie Street.
To celebrate the centennial of the chamber, we’re planting 100 trees, along with daylillies and other ornamental plants.
Balancing highway construction, the environment and public involvement is a continual challenge.
Because our citizens want all three—transportation improvements, protection of the environment and input in the decision-making process—we often have to be extraordinarily patient.
This is the price we pay for progress.
The good news is that Gov. Easley has put a great team in place at the Department of Environment & Natural Resources—Bill Ross and Dempsey Benton.
They share my cooperative approach to problem-solving and they want the same thing that I do—the best for the citizens of North Carolina.
Recently I named Roger Sheats as Deputy Secretary for the Environment, Planning and Local Government Affairs.
Some of you remember Roger from his work at the N.C. Rural Development Center, the Mid-Carolina Council of Governments and the Cape Fear River Assembly.
Roger is committed to addressing environmental impacts early in the transportation process, ensuring the protection of North Carolina’s natural resources as well as agency cooperation.
He will also work with rural and metropolitan planning organizations to build a unified planning network and improve coordination of transportation improvements with local governments.
I am confident that with Roger’s assistance—and the cooperation of Bill and Dempsey—transportation improvements will be completed in a more timely manner.
Another change in the department is our new Board of Transportation, which met for the first time on March 16.
Our new board is slightly smaller than in the past—19 members instead of 25—but it’s an EXPERIENCED BOARD and will give all citizens A STRONG VOICE for transportation in North Carolina.
In addition to members representing the 14 highway divisions, we’ve also got five at-large members dedicated to critical transportation issues such as the environment, state ports and aviation, finance, rural transportation and mass transit.
Mac Campbell from Elizabethtown will be representing this area and with his success in business and his strong commitment to public service, I know he will do a top-notch job.
Board members like Mac will be invaluable to the department during the next few years, because as you can see, WE HAVE MUCH WORK AHEAD OF US.
As you know, funds are tighter than ever across state government.
In addition to our special project for efficiencies, the department is participating in a number of short-term cost-cutting measures—from freezing vacant positions to limiting our purchasing to goods that are essential.
The state’s budget crunch emphasizes the need for creative thinking.
As a CPA, my clients relied on me to assist them as their business experienced change.
Creativity is essential because I know that no matter how many funds we are able to secure, there’s not enough money available to do all that we would like to do.
But you all know that I’m the kind of person who likes challenges.
Transportation is exciting because it gives us the unique ability to bring together all that makes North Carolina special—our people, our communities and our regions.
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 lives up to the promises of this great new century and makes Governor Easley’s One North Carolina a reality.
Thank you for allowing me to join you today!
I look forward to seeing you in Raleigh.