Chamber's Hot Topic Luncheon keeps focus on transportation
By Steve Herring
Published in News on February 18, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
N.C. Secretary of Transportation Nick Tennyson speaks during the chamber's Hot Topic Luncheon.
Completing the U.S. 70 Bypass, the future of high-speed rail, what future Interstate status means for U.S. 70 and U.S. 117 and the fate of a CSX container hub were the issues on the minds of those attending a Wednesday transportation luncheon.
Keynote speaker Nick Tennyson, the state's secretary of transportation, paved no new roads during his comments or in his response to questions on those topics during the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce's Hot Topic Luncheon at Lane Tree Golf Club.
"Transportation infrastructure is deeply connected with economic development of North Carolina, and the decisions made today will greatly determine the future business climate and quality of life for our region," Chamber President Kate Daniels said.
Tennyson talked about the limited highway funding, the new formula for ranking projects -- saying that that is based on need and not who has been in the General Assembly the longest -- and state and federal highway taxes.
He also took a few moments to encourage those in attendance to vote their conscience on the $2 billion bond issue that is part of the March 15 primary.
It does not include any transportation projects, but voters still need to participate, Tennyson said.
But local projects were what the audience seemed to be more interested in.
The U.S. 70 Bypass is still scheduled to open June 1 and "very high" cost is a hindrance to developing high-speed rail, he said.
Also, freight is where the railroad makes its money, and it does not want passenger trains near its freight lines, Tennyson said.
But efforts need to continue on high-speed rail, he said.
The future Interstate status for U.S. 117 and U.S. 70 comes without any extra money to make those dreams reality, he said.
"What it means is that it has passed an important hurdle because if it is not included as an Interstate designation, then you don't get the (Interstate) shield," he said. "There are a lot of people who view that as a critical pass-fail for (business) locations," he said.
As for the CSX hub, Tennyson said he knew more than he was going to tell.
CSX has backed off plans to build the $272 million hub near Selma because of public backlash against the use of eminent domain to acquire the property.
Wayne County has expressed interest in the acquiring the hub.
"I believe that the impact of that facility would be, if not immediate, as close as immediate as it can be on the entire (U.S.) 70 corridor," he said. "I think the opportunities it would open, if it is located anywhere toward the middle of the state, are meaningful.
"I think the effect on our ports would be very, very strong. I think there is not any way that a project that requires the use of eminent domain is going to go forward. Let me be sure we are clear here, I didn't say I didn't believe in it. I think politically right now that is not going to float."
The state was not involved in the process and would not be party to condemning property for private projects, Tennyson said.
It is going to be difficult for the project to go forward without a willing seller, he said.
"I am still hopeful," he said. "CSX has not announced that they have left. We are at the point where ultimately something is going to have to happen. I don't know exactly when.
"But I look forward to having a facility on a location where people are willing to go ahead and sell their property because I think it could have a tremendous benefit for the state."