Current Newsletter
Gap funding focus continues
"Gap funding" for proposed turnpikes continues to be a focus of the Regional Transportation Alliance and a critical item of discussion for the statewide 21st Century Transportation Committee. In the Triangle, the 540/Triangle Expressway project will be under construction in less than a year—if the legislature approves the gap funding needed to pay for the portion of roadway construction costs that tolls will not cover. Other regions also have proposed toll roads under consideration, so this situation is not unique to the Triangle.
The Alliance has continued to highlight the importance of completing our freeway system, including the need for gap funding to accelerate the completion of turnpike routes. As you speak with your neighbors, associates, legislators, etc. please continue to speak of the importance of accelerating 540/Triangle Expressway—and the need for legislative gap funding—at every chance you get.
Special Transit Advisory Commission to unveil recommendations
The Special Transit Advisory Commission (STAC) completed its 15th and final regular meeting on February 29, 2008. The STAC – which includes current chair Rusine Mitchell-Sinclair, immediate past chair Ed Willingham, legislative chair Rick Weddle, leadership team member Jodi LaFreniere, and several other Alliance members – has developed recommendations concerning a transit vision for the Triangle that consists of:
- Enhanced regional and local bus service, including express bus corridors, to build transit ridership and support across the region,
- Several subregional transit circulators, including a connector between Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), and
- A 56-mile regional rail system that will touch Chapel Hill, Downtown Durham, RTP, Downtown Cary, Downtown Raleigh, and North Raleigh, with potential commuter rail extensions to outlying areas.
The STAC believes that implementation of this future vision for transit in the Triangle will require:
- A significant local option revenue source (1/2 cent sales tax or equivalent) as a primary funding mechanism, with State funding complementing the local share, and
- An implementation structure that ensures accountability to the voters by placing elected officials in decision-making roles.
The Alliance Leadership Team supported the thrust of the STAC recommendations at its meeting on February 15. The draft report is being vetted by the STAC members— with formal review by the STAC slated for April 25.
Upcoming Alliance and Partner Events
May 8: Regional Transportation Solutions Forum
2 - 3:30 p.m.
Herb Young Community Center, Cary
Several Alliance member engineering firms will present the “best intersection they have ever designed”, and NCDOT senior staff will also present some intersection innovations in our state. Advance sponsors include ExpressJet Airlines, Time Warner Cable, and HNTB. To RSVP, contact the Alliance at 664-7062 or alliance@letsgetmoving.org by May 2, 2008
June 24-25: 2008 Triangle Chambers’ Washington, D.C., Visit Registration Form: 2008 DC Registration Form
For more information call or e-mail Kathryn Wright at 919-664-7090, kwright@raleighchamber.org
Registration deadline is May 7, 2008.
2008 Alliance Transportation Breakfast
The Alliance held its first annual Transportation Breakfast on February 7. The program included timely presentations about critical mobility issues from special guest speakers Brad Wilson and Senator Richard Stevens. If you were unable to attend the breakfast but would like to hear remarks from our special guest speakers, click here to view video of the speakers. Thank you to all sponsors who made this event possible: Credit Suisse, Barnhill Contracting Company, Gregory Poole Equipment Co., HNTB North Carolina, PC, Martin/Alexiou/Bryson, PLLC, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., Time Warner Cable, URS Corporation - North Carolina, Ward & Smith, P.A., Wilbur Smith Associates, AT&T North Carolina, Earth Tech of NC, Inc., Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., and Rex Healthcare.
|
