Martin told a group of regional leaders, media and press at Carteret Community College on Friday that an economic development analysis is being launched for the U.S. 70 Corridor to make it the highway more efficient, enjoyable and environmentally and economically friendly.
Almost a decade of concerted lobbying for improvements to the highway which connected the state’s central coast to the rest of the state have been underway by a “Super 70” U.S. 70 Corridor Commission. It began as group of individuals representing counties along U.S. 70 from Wake to
“This study will focus on the economic development impacts of completing the four-lane freeway bypass system of highways from I-40 in
The N.C. Department of Transportation-funded study is being performed by Cambridge Systematics, which did a similar analysis for financing and funding for I-95, in conjunction with the
Division Engineer John Rouse will oversee the project for DOT and Paula Dowell is leading the project she said is expected to be complete by the end of 2013. Its basic cost is $225,000 plus an additional, and as yet undetermined, cost for the N.C. 117 to 1-795 connection to I-40.
Martin, a former
“It was the Highway Trust Fund’s ambition that by now 90 percent of population would be within 10 minutes of a freeway,” Martin said. “We hope to recognize that in some of your lifetimes. But it’s been complicated. Progress is awfully easy to block.”
He said as he and his wife Dottie, who was the force behind
He said the idling is inefficient, costly, and unhealthy for business and individual travel.
“Industries need to get products to market and need a four-lane road to get to the Interstate,” Martin said. For small businesses along U.S. 70, “the same highway that spurred travel to this area now is congesting it. I believe we can solve that if you want it and are willing to work for it.”
Ernest Pearson of Sanford Holshouser, who claimed he has learned what he knows about economic development and transportation planning from Martin, said the U.S.70 project affects Johnston, Wayne, Lenoir, Craven, Jones and Carteret and “every county along the corridor understands the needs.”
The analysis will look at the current corridor status, all areas of economic development and ask about impediments to business recruitment and retention, he said.
It will also look at the impacts of completing U.S. 70 corridor bypasses and what is positive, and what steps are needed to mitigate any harm to retail merchants.
Martin said, “Think about the economic future of
He urged those involved to “look at this study critically and speak as boldly and forcefully as you can to get it done. If you have problem, see problem, let them know about it. We don’t want surprises. We don’t want to be in the middle of construction and find out something we forgot to think about.
“Investigate this fully, all sides professionally,” Martin said. “Come in and find out how the people of this region would like to see it done. Look for what greatest good for people of the region.”
Carteret County Board of Commissioners Chairman Greg Lewis brought a chuckle from the nearly 100 regional leaders attending the event when he said, “Where you feel like Highway 70 ends. But the truth is, this is where Highway 70 begins. It is a wonderful, unique place to live and vital to the economy of
Transportation is important to key state industries including tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture, he said, and the
Sue Book can be reached at 252-635-5665 or sue.book@newbernsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @SueJBook.