North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has been traveling all over the state unveiling a 25-year transportation vision that hits core areas rather than core projects.
The strategy is the offspring of the Strategic Transportation Investments law passed by the North Carolina General Assembly last summer. The law creates a new direction in terms of how transportation projects are funded and prioritized.
The 25-year vision has identified the following areas to target: sustainable beach nourishment; improving highway connections; replacing aging bridges; stabilizing inlets; transforming North Carolina’s ports; strengthening military connections, enhancing freight movements, relieving congestion, expanding mass transit options, improving intrastate connections; and supporting greater broadband connectivity through existing right-of-way. The state was divided into sections (Eastern, Central, Western and Coastal), which each getting it’s own hit list. All of the bullet points were general with one exception—improving I-95 connections in the eastern region.
The plan also will look at alternative funding like public-private partnerships to help produce the necessary dollars for projects.
“Transportation is the backbone of our state’s economy, and investing in transportation solutions will help expand opportunities and create jobs,” said McCrory. “Companies want to invest where they know there is a strong vision for moving people and products and that is why we have made this strategic vision a priority.”
