Thank you, Frank, for that introduction.
Today is an eventful day for the Department and it's particularly meaningful for me.
One of my first actions as Secretary of Transportation last year was to appoint Roger Sheats as the Department's first Deputy Secretary for the Environment, Planning and Local Government Affairs.
Roger shares my commitment to building a strong future for rural areas-and since his appointment, he's made the development of rural transportation planning organizations a priority.
He's done so with great success, I might add, because over the last two days we have announced a total of four RPOS for western North Carolina.
This is a new record for the department, and will bring the total number of RPOs across the state to 10.
Roger, I'd like to recognize you for all you have done-please stand.
(SHEATS STANDS; YOU LEAD APPLAUSE.)
I'd also like to recognize this area's Board of Transportation member, Frank Johnson.
Frank would you please stand.
Frank represents all of the counties in this RPO: Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln counties.
(JOHNSON STANDS; YOU LEAD APPLAUSE.)
Thanks to the contributions of staff members like Roger and Board members like Frank, the Department has made GREAT PROGRESS this year.
In addition to forming RPOs across the state, we've had many other accomplishments in 2001, starting with INCREASED FUNDING FOR MAINTENANCE.
Our state's budget shortfall has made meeting our maintenance needs particularly challenging.
However, as part of the budget bill, the General Assembly passed a special provision allowing the department to use a portion of its cash balances-about $420 million-for maintenance during the next three years.
This is the most significant transportation legislation passed since the Highway Trust Fund in 1989-and as a result, citizens from across the state will see a major improvement in the quality of their highways.
In Cleveland County, for example, we'll be resurfacing almost 7 miles of U.S. 74 from the intersection of Harmon Road and King's Mountain/U.S. 74 Bypass to the Gaston County line.
We'll also be resurfacing more than 11 miles of N.C. 279 in Gaston County from N.C. 275 to N.C. 150.
And on U.S. 321 in Lincoln County we will be resurfacing almost 11 miles from the Gaston County line to the Catawba County line.
As we continue with this program, we'll improve many more miles of highway in this region and across the state over the next three years.
This special provision will also help our state by allowing the Department to invest $45 million in traffic signal improvements, $45 million for the planning and design of shelf projects as well as $120 million for public transportation.
I'm also proud of the Department's environmental efforts-which brings me to more GOOD NEWS.
On January 29 at a special event near Raeford, I announced the department's acquisition of 2,500 acres in Hoke County for a preserve for the federally-endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
We'll turn the property over to The Nature Conservancy, which will manage the land in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This partnership is a victory for everyone.
It helps the department because this property will serve as a bank for current and future mitigation needs for highway construction projects in the Sandhills area.
Most importantly, the partnership helps the federally-endangered red-cockaded woodpecker because it preserves their habitat, which has been shrinking for some time now.
This partnership is just one more example of my commitment to improving the state's natural resources, starting at the HIGHEST LEVEL.
In March, the Board of Transportation's first Environmental Planning and Policy Committee was established to help integrate an environmental ethic into all NCDOT work.
In June, DENR Secretary Bill Ross and I signed an agreement signifying a shared responsibility to meet the state's transportation needs while protecting the state's environment.
Another success for the Department last year was the announcement of our plans for REINTRODUCING PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE to western and southeastern North Carolina.
We're very pleased about these plans, which will one day enable citizens to ride the train all the way from Asheville to Wilmington.
This service will not only provide a viable transportation alternative but will also help revitalize rural communities that once depended on these rail lines.
As these highlights demonstrate, 2001 was a landmark year for transportation in North Carolina.
2002 will be no different; in fact, we're raising the bar another notch.
As you can see from my agenda card, we have much work ahead of us. We'll be:
RPOs are voluntary organizations composed of local elected officials and local transportation system representatives that will serve in an advisory role for the department.
They will help the department develop long-range local and regional multi-modal transportation plans.
RPOs will also develop and prioritize suggestions for transportation projects to be included in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
In every way, the Lake Norman RPO is true to the spirit of Governor Easley's One North Carolina.
This organization will give leaders in Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln counties the opportunity to take the lead in planning local transportation and to help shape the future of their regions.
For citizens, the Lake Norman RPO will improve quality of life by providing more local public involvement opportunities in the transportation decision-making process.
More efficient transportation planning in our rural regions will improve economic development across the state, benefiting all North Carolinians.
Before I present the charter, I'd like to recognize the contributions of two key organizations.
The Rural Economic Development Center has been instrumental in the formation of our RPOs, with a commitment to provide 25 percent of the local matching funds for up to $5,000 each.
We also recently learned that the North Carolina Rural Electric Membership Corporation will be providing $100,000, which will be split between all RPOs.
At this time, I'd like to ask the following people to join me at the podium:
(REPRESENTATIVES JOIN YOU AT THE PODIUM.)
It is my honor to present to you a framed copy of the official charter for the Lake Norman RPO.
(PRESENT FRAMED CHARTER TO THE GROUP. THOMAS ANDERSON WILL ACCEPT THE CHARTER ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP.)
Commissioner Anderson, would you like to give a response?
(YOU SIT DOWN. FOLLOWING ANDERSON'S RESPONSE, FRANK JOHNSON WILL CONCLUDE THE EVENT.)