The Senate did not include the Governor’s proposed Mobility Fund in their budget. It is the Governor and NCDOT’s hope that the House will include it in their budget.
The Governor is holding a press conference on Monday, May 24th and has asked the League and the Metro Mayors to turn their folks out in support. We are asking all local elected officials to come Monday to Exit 290 off I-40 (Exit for Hwy 54, from Eastbound I-40) by 2:15 PM and show your support for the Mobility Fund.
As a refresher, the Governor proposed an NC Mobility Fund in her 2011 Budget which generates $300 million to fund projects of statewide significance. The sources of revenue include DMV related fee increases and the continued phasing out of the transfers from the Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund to the General Fund. The Governor believes that critical congestion issues impact the entire state, our economy and our ability to maintain and attract jobs. All modes of transportation including highway, rail, aviation, ports, ferry, transit, bike and pedestrian would be eligible for funding. The first project to receive funding would be the Yadkin River Bridge during which time NCDOT would develop a prioritization process for future projects in collaboration with local governments, stakeholders, and the general public. The fund includes $30 million per year in dedicated interstate maintenance funds and $20 million per year for additional municipal Powell Bill funding.
The Metro Mayors have sent a letter to the General Assembly supporting the Fund. The League Board has voted in support of the concept.
What can you do to ensure this very important expansion of transportation funding and Powell Bill funding is enacted?
Call your House delegation members right away. Things are moving very fast in the House. Decisions on this fund will likely be made by Monday night if not sooner. Here are your talking points:
Need: North Carolina needs additional transportation resources that focus on mobility projects of statewide significance.
Solution: The Mobility Fund needs to be created this year, even if only with limited funding. Let’s get the Fund started.
Project Selection: The first project should be the Yadkin River Bridge. While the bridge is being built NCDOT can lead a prioritization process much like they have done over the last year for highway projects. We have confidence in NCDOT to partner with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure a data driven process that will target the Mobility Fund resources at projects of statewide significance that affect mobility.
Risk: Don’t just fix the Yadkin River Bridge without creating the Mobility Fund. Create the Fund and designate the Bridge as the first project.
Show members of the General Assembly that cities have confidence in NCDOT to build a prioritization process that will ensure the funds are spent on mobility projects of statewide significance. If you need to know more about the process NCDOT did over the last year call your Division Engineer and ask them more about it. Ask them about the fund.
The Governor has asked for our help in lobbying for the Mobility Fund. Please let me know if you reach out to your House delegation and what you hear back.
Click here for more on the Mobility Fund, talking points, the bill, etc.
