Thank you, Frank, for that introduction.
Being here tonight is a treat for me.
I always enjoy visiting my friends in Warsaw-it's communities like this one that make North Carolina so special.
Duplin County is more than a reflection of our state's strong rural heritage; this community is a fine example of the potential of eastern North Carolina for the future.
From agriculture to manufacturing, this area fulfills so many vital needs for our citizens.
You have a right to be proud of your numerous contributions to this state.
As leaders, you recognize the important connection between economic growth and transportation.
In my position as Secretary of Transportation, it's vital that I have an opportunity to meet with folks 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.
This experience has guided me in helping Governor Easley build One North Carolina-a state where every community matters and every person counts.
As a result of much work and the support of communities like Warsaw, the Department has made GREAT PROGRESS this past year.
I'd like to share with you a few of our top achievements, starting with increased funds for MAINTENANCE.
We're especially proud of the special provision in the budget bill allowing the Department to use $420 million from its cash balances for maintenance.
This is the most significant transportation legislation passed since the Highway Trust Fund in 1989.
Due to this legislation, citizens from across the state will see a major improvement in the quality of their highways.
In Duplin County, for example, we'll be resurfacing more than 7 miles of N.C. 111, from N.C. 11 to Sarecta (PRONOUNCED SAH-REC-TA) Road.
This is an important project that is long overdue.
Resurfacing this road-and eliminating the rutting created by the heavy truck volume-will substantially improve traffic flow along this highway.
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.
Earlier today, 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.
The department will 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.
In fact, by preserving this property from private development, we'll also help link together existing public tracts of an important longleaf pine ecosystem, which used to run through the entire southeast.
This partnership is just one more example of my commitment to improving the state's natural resources, starting at the HIGHEST LEVEL.
Last February, for example, I named Roger Sheats as the department's first Deputy Secretary for Planning, the Environment and Local Government Affairs.
And 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.
Because our rural areas are home to some of the state's most fragile natural resources, the department has also made great strides in improving planning in these regions.
In September, we announced the formation of the state's first rural transportation planning organization (or RPO).
RPOs will help improve planning in rural areas by giving citizens a unified voice in the transportation decision-making process.
So far, we have formed A TOTAL OF 6 RPOS, with plans in the works to incorporate all of the remaining counties this year.
Another achievement has been our expansion of public transportation and rail funding.
The additional $84 million appropriated in the budget gave public transportation a 100% PERCENT INCREASE in funds from last year.
This means that we'll be able to help public transit in Duplin County continue to expand.
From providing transportation for the elderly and disabled to serving afterschool programs, I commend this community for all you have done to make public transportation such a vibrant part of the transportation network here in Duplin County.
Another success for the department last year was the announcement of our plans for REINTRODUCING PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE to western and southeastern North Carolina.
This community in particular has been a strong advocate for passenger rail, ever since the original Weldon to Wilmington line premiered in 1840.
We know from the results of the Southeastern North Carolina Passenger Rail Feasibility Study that there is a great demand in restoring passenger rail service to the southeastern part of the state.
We also know that we need to do more detailed studies to examine ridership potential, possible revenues and what infrastructure improvements may be needed before deciding on one particular route.
Currently, we're in the process of conducting more detailed studies to see how best to accommodate both freight and passenger trains.
Our next step is to look at what track improvements will be needed to implement passenger rail service.
Finally, we'll conduct additional surveys around Fayetteville and Goldsboro to further assess travel patterns in these areas.
The information we gather will help us determine a specific route so we can begin working to restore passenger rail service to the southeastern part of the state.
This community has long been a great supporter of passenger rail service.
I applaud your enthusiasm and I look forward to working with you and the Eastern North Carolina Rail Alliance as we move forward with these exciting plans.
As our accomplishments demonstrate, 2001 has been a landmark year for transportation in North Carolina-however, I'm far from satisfied.
We still have much work ahead.
Throughout the coming year, we'll continue to focus on important transportation improvements for this area, such as the construction of the Kenansville Bypass.
This highway will improve traffic flow around the city limits by rerouting the pass-through traffic along N.C. 11-903.
We also have a number of important bridge replacement projects in the works.
We're replacing two bridges over Limestone Creek.
We're also replacing the bridge over the Northeast Cape Fear River on N.C. 41/50.
This bridge will be built on a new location but we'll maintain traffic on the existing bridge during construction to reduce motorist inconvenience.
Quality transportation projects like these are not only important to this region but also are a vital part of the Governor's vision of One North Carolina.
We still have a number of challenges ahead of us, which I've outlined on these AGENDA CARDS.
I share them wherever I go because I think it's important that we all stay focused and work together as a team.
You can help by making the nine goals on these cards YOUR NINE GOALS.
Make this agenda YOUR AGENDA AND HELP ME CONTINUE TO MOVE NORTH CAROLINA FORWARD.
Let's make 2002 an even better year for transportation in our state.
Together we can build the kind of transportation system that supports communities like Warsaw and will make One North Carolina a reality.
Thank you for inviting me to join you tonight.