Map of District 49

For Immediate Release -- November 8, 2007 Areas of Transportation Study  A little more than a week after being appointed, this new blue-ribbon transportation committee met Wednesday for the first time.   The 21st Century Transportation Committee has been asked to study: ·         Ways to improve the transportation systems of the state in order to promote economic growth and ensure that the state can compete and participate in the global economy. ·         Innovative methods to fund the transportation needs of the state, including an examination of traditional and nontraditional methods of financing transportation infrastructure. ·         Priorities of the Department of Transportation, including methods to ensure adequate funding for corridors and projects of statewide significance. ·         Methods to use new and innovative technology to improve the transportation system. ·         Options for local transportation funding. ·         Ways to adequately fund road construction to address urban congestion and to improve mobility. ·         Methods to spend transportation funds in the most effective and cost efficient manner, including ways to use recycled materials, and reuse and recycle road materials. ·         Ways to ensure the continued safety of the transportation system, including an analysis of the safety and reliability of bridges in the State. ·         The appropriate division of responsibility for transportation infrastructure between state and local government and any federal role in providing transportation infrastructure needs. ·         The role of ports, airports, mass transit, rail, and pedestrian and cycling access in providing the transportation needs of the state. ·         Public transportation needs in urban areas. ·         Methods to encourage fuel conservation and energy conservation in North Carolina.  Membership of the Committee The members of the committee include: The Honorable Terry Bellamy, Mayor of Asheville, Buncombe County The Honorable Sam Hunt, former NC Transportation Secretary, Alamance County The Honorable Allen Joines, Mayor of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County Mr. Gregory Plemmons, Vice President of Old Dominion Global, Guilford County Mr. Charles F. Bowman, Principal Compliance Executive for Bank of America, Mecklenburg County The Honorable Chuck McGrady, County Commissioner, Henderson County Mr. D. Jordan "Jordy" Whichard, III, Publisher of Cox NC Publications and Chair of NC Economic Development Board, Pitt County Senator David Hoyle, Gaston County Senator Clark Jenkins, Edgecombe County Senator Richard Stevens, Wake County Dr. Joseph Monroe, Dean of the College of Engineering, NC A&T State University, Guilford County Mr. Lanny Wilson, North Carolina Board of Transportation Member, New Hanover County Mr. Billy Sewell, President of Platinum Corral, Onslow County Mr. Stephen Zelnak, Jr., CEO of Martin Marietta, Wake County The Honorable Richard Blackburn, County Commissioner, Ashe County Representative Nelson Cole, Rockingham County    Representative Becky Carney, Mecklenburg County Representative Lorene Coates, Rowan County Representative Phillip Frye, Mitchell County             Representative William C. "Bill" McGee, Forsyth County Representative William L. Wainwright, Craven County The Honorable George W. Miller, Jr., former Representative, Durham County Ms. Nina Szlosberg, Owner of Napro Communications, North Carolina Board of Transportation Member, Wake County