2007 Accomplishments

• "Triangle Expressway" turnpike approved by Capital Area MPO and Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO—Consists of the western portion of the I-540 Raleigh Outer Loop (12.6 mi) and the Triangle Parkway extension of the NC 147 freeway in RTP (3.4 mi); see map. The NC Turnpike Authority also approved the project in November which will make it the first-ever startup fully electronic mainline toll facility in the United States.
• Spearheaded the successful drive to accelerate the widening to six lanes of I-40 between Cary and Raleigh
• Championed regionwide support for turnpike gap funding—with the entire Wake County legislative delegation as well as legislators from Franklin, Durham, and Granville counties sponsoring legislation in the House and Senate (S1054, H1937)
• Encouraged and supported the creation of the Special Transit Advisory Commission that is reviewing regional transit options. More than 15 members of the commission are from Alliance member / partner organizations. Recommendations are due in fall 2007.
• Helped welcome ExpressJet, United Airlines and Midwest Connect as the newest carriers to RDU
• Sustained the Triangle Mobility Action Partnership (Tri-MAP) forum that provides an ongoing public-private dialogue among the Board of Transportation, Turnpike Authority, MPOs, NCDOT, the legislature, and the regional business community
• Served as event host for the first ever NC Spin statewide transportation forum
• Hosted our Tenth Transportation Academy in November 2007, the event featured the Mayor and City Engineer of Carmel, Indiana, the home of approximately 50 roundabout intersections
• Alliance now represents more than 110 businesses and 22 member chambers of commerce in 9 counties
• Coordinated an ongoing regional wayfinding initiative with partners.

2006 Accomplishments

• Successfully lobbied for revenue retention and local approval authority amendments to turnpike acceleration legislation (Senate Bill 1381)
• Successfully lobbied for corridor revenue retention policy by NC Turnpike Authority, approved in August 2006
• Legislation introduced on behalf of Alliance by House and Senate committee chairs concerning turnpike revenue retention and turnpike gap funding
• Worked with local and state transportation partners to facilitate the approval of the final traffic and revenue study for I-540 and Triangle Parkway proposed turnpike freeways
• Revised and updated list of Alliance Top Triangle Transportation (T3) regional priorities in cooperation with both area metropolitan transportation planning organizations (MPOs)
• Created a new Triangle Mobility Action Partnership (Tri-MAP) forum that provides an ongoing public-private dialogue among the Board of Transportation, Turnpike Authority, MPOs, NCDOT, the legislature, and the regional business community
• Held our first regional legislative breakfast—our largest and most successful elected officials reception to date
• Held our third annual reception for the NC Board of Transportation—our largest and most successful reception for the Board thus far
• Partnered with NCDOT to improve signal timing at TW Alexander Dr and Glenwood Ave
• Partnered with the City of Durham to improve signal timing at multiple intersections along TW Alexander Drive
• Improved the content of the Transportation Academy series by inviting national experts on toll roads, intersection design, and corridor design.