UPDATE - PILOT PROJECT MEETINGS Public meetings for the Kinston and James City pilot projects were held in November to share ideas and get public input from local officials, businesses, and residents. Read more about the meetings on the "Corridor Projects" page.

Last Update: 5/7/2009

           
US 70 COMMISSION SHARES VISION WITH NC LEGISLATORS

The US 70 Corridor Commission has been looking to develop working relationship with the State’s political leaders to help move the Corridor vision forward.  Several commissioners made significant progress on establishing those relationships on March 11^th when they hosted a Legislative Breakfast Summit with key officials in Raleigh. 

With the goal of “creating an awareness and higher level of support” for the Commission’s efforts, ten Super 70 representatives sat down with senators and representatives from across NC to talk one-on-one about the progress, projects, and needs along US 70.  In addition to those legislators involved transportation issues or from eastern NC, the session was attended by NC Secretary of Transportation Gene Conti and three Board of Transportation members.  The attendees also listened to presentations from BOT member Cam McRae, Commission Chairman Tom Steepy, and consultant Mike Rutkowski.

Those presenting stressed the three key objectives of the Super 70 project:  improving vehicular safety, enhancing mobility, and promoting economic development.  With an average of more than four automobile crashes a day along the corridor and a fatality every month and a half, the presenters stressed the importance of improving safety.  "We have cars pulling out at 5 mph from a restaurant or gas station encountering traffic moving at 60 mph" Rutkowski said.  Officials said when a US 70 freeway system is implemented, it will decrease travel times along the corridor, helping not only travelers, but also commerce.  “As you improve the road or the ability of trucks and commerce to move up and down the corridor, it does breed economic vitality,” Steepy said.

Later that day, a small group of the commissioners met individually with Speaker of the House Joe Hackney and Senator President Pro Temp Marc Basnight to discuss US 70 and how to gain more support from the Capital City.  Feedback throughout the day was very positive and promising.

For questions, comments, or more information on the Commission, send us an email.

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