REPORTER - charlotterotary.org · Express lanes have been part of the US road matrix since Orange...
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Jean Leier I-77 Mobility Partners To say the least, the north I-77, estimated $650 million toll lane project has stirred plenty of community controversy. Today Jean Leier, Director of Public Affairs for I-77 Mobility Partners, summarized the project and addressed misunderstandings. Express lanes have been part of the US road matrix since Orange County built out the first one in 1995. Now over 1/2 of the population in the United States is served by toll lanes, serving most major metropolitan clusters. I-77 is the first public-private road contract partnership in North Carolina. Once completed, expect that the express lanes are expected to have at least seven access/exit access points including two direct access locations at Hambright and Lakeview Roads. Usage will be a driver’s choice. A driver can choose to use the express lanes, the general purpose lanes or a combination of express lanes and general purpose lanes. Toll rates will fluctuate periodically based on the level of traffic, among other factors, in order to ensure that express lanes drivers travel at more predictable rates of speed. As traffic levels and demand increase, the toll price increases to keep vehicles moving. Once traffic volumes drop, the price goes down. Jean said according to a May 2015 Fitch Ratings report, Fitch Ratings estimated toll rates between $0.14/mile and $0.40/mile. Several public meetings will occur to discuss toll rates and how to use the express lanes prior to the start of operations. This option to new drivers addresses one of the most congested highways in the state. The dedicated toll lanes will operate adjacent to existing general purposes lanes, the same four to two existing free lanes each direction will remain. One Rotarian voiced the concern that as economic development continues, the toll lanes will not adequately assist the traffic flow, and specifically it may not alleviate the bottleneck north of exit 28 where four free lanes will remain going across the lake. Two express lanes (one in each direction) will be built from Exit 28 to Exit 36. Jean remarked that the contract does not preclude the state from adding free lanes later. However, if NCDOT does so, it may be required to compensate Mobility Partners for lost revenues that result from such additional free lane construction. REPORTER May 3, 2016
Transcript of REPORTER - charlotterotary.org · Express lanes have been part of the US road matrix since Orange...
Jean Leier I-77 Mobility Partners
To say the least, the north I-77, estimated $650 million toll lane project has stirred plenty of community controversy. Today Jean Leier, Director of Public Affairs for I-77 Mobility Partners, summarized the project and addressed misunderstandings. Express lanes have been part of the US road matrix
since Orange County built out the first one in 1995. Now over 1/2 of the population in the United States is served by toll lanes, serving most major metropolitan clusters. I-77 is the first public-private road contract partnership in North Carolina. Once completed, expect that the express lanes are expected to have at least seven access/exit access points including two direct access locations at Hambright and Lakeview Roads. Usage will be a driver’s choice. A driver can choose to use the express lanes, the general purpose lanes or a combination of express lanes and general purpose lanes. Toll rates will fluctuate periodically based on the level of traffic, among other factors, in order to ensure that express lanes drivers travel at more predictable rates of speed. As traffic levels and demand increase, the toll price increases to keep vehicles moving. Once traffic volumes drop, the price goes down. Jean said according to a May 2015 Fitch Ratings report, Fitch Ratings estimated toll rates between $0.14/mile and $0.40/mile. Several public meetings will occur to discuss toll rates and how to use the express lanes prior to the start of operations. This option to new drivers addresses one of the most congested highways in the state. The dedicated toll lanes will operate adjacent to existing general purposes lanes, the same four to two existing free lanes each direction will remain. One Rotarian voiced the concern that as economic development continues, the toll lanes will not adequately assist the traffic flow, and specifically it may not alleviate the bottleneck north of exit 28 where four free lanes will remain going across the lake. Two express lanes (one in each direction) will be built from Exit 28 to Exit 36. Jean remarked that the contract does not preclude the state from adding free lanes later. However, if NCDOT does so, it may be required to compensate Mobility Partners for lost revenues that result from such additional free lane construction.
REPORTER May 3, 2016
Free access to toll lanes will be available for emergency vehicles, public transit vehicles, motorcycles and vehicles with three or more passengers when using a transponder. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority will oversee toll collections and "Quick Pass” (WWW.NCQuickPass.com) operations. Also, because the contract provides for an ongoing design and build during construction, there are many workforce and contracting opportunities for local companies. Change always brings debate and skepticism. We all hope that when the project is finished, it improves mobility and quality of life as Jean explained has occurred with other express lanes projects throughout the country. Perhaps in a few years,
we will all be thankful north I-77 has toll lane options. Speaker Write Up: Ed Wadsworth; Head Table: Tom Natalie English, Jill Santuccio; Invocation: Karen Calder; Introduced Speaker: Colleen Brannan; Visitors & Guests: Charlie Bones; AV: Nikki Keith, Jessica Dupree, Steve Eanes; Photos: Bert Voswinkel; Health, Happiness & History: David Erdman CLUB NEWS Bill Gill and Tim Newman are co-chairing the 14th Annual Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic that will be held Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Ballantyne Golf Club. Tim is working to identify players and reported there are several sponsorship opportunities available. The sign-up form will be posted on the website within the week and everyone was challenged to become more involved and provide even more support than ever. The focus of this tournament is to provide scholarships for children of our First Responders. Noted in the Business Journal: Sustain Charlotte Awards – sponsor: MassMutual Carolinas, Tim Flanagan; recipients: Energy: CPCC, Tony Zeiss; Water: Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, Em Syrewicze. Approve for Membership (comments to Rotary Office by 5/10/16) Alexandra N. Myrick Morgan Stanley (Financial Advisor, Wealth Management) Sponsor: John Lassiter Endorsed: Ed Wadsworth, Jessica Dupree Angela C. Wagner Professional Liability Solutions LLC (Insurance, Independent Brokerage) Sponsor: Tom Bartholomy Endorsed: Jerry Coughter, Phil Volponi 100 SERVICE PROJECTS OBJECTIVE: 3 to 4 (or more) Rotarians are asked to participate in a service project and report their name, project, date and hours to the Rotary office. This approved club initiative runs through December 1, 2016. Project suggestions should be sent to Sandy for advertising in the weekly Reporter. 46 Projects Completed 175 Participants 54.7% of Club 1366.5 Total Hours
The numbers are improving and we are almost ½ way to our goal of completing 100 service projects by December 1, 2016. Have you recommended or participated in a project??? May 7, 2016: Charlotte Providence Rotary organizing the Cotswold Farmers Market (Sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548afaa2da5fe3-volunteer) May 21, 2016: Walk to Cure Arthritis; Davidson College; registration opens at 8AM – walk at 10AM; volunteers needed for registration, food/water & route directions; Rotary contact: Kristina Aquilone ([email protected]); Register: www.walktocurearthritis.org/charlotte. ONGOING Allenbrook Elementary School: North Star Reading Partners with a commitment to read to a 3rd grade student one hour a week. Eric Davis: [email protected]. Platelet Donation (on-going): Register at the American Red Cross or Community Blood Center of the Carolinas to donate platelets. DISTRICT CONFERENCE May 13-15: Renaissance Hotel, Asheville: opening reception 6PM; registration available on database (Sandy can get you registered). $150 per person; lodging at the Renaissance Hotel $159 per night; 1-800-468-3571. All are invited to attend. UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS (05/05/16 – 05/18/16) 05/07 Mary Rinehart 05/09 Fernando Ycaza 05/12 Gene Williams 05/14 Mac McCarley, Bob Culbertson 05/15 Al Allison 05/18 Glenn Paton UPCOMING ANNIVERSARIES (05/05/16 – 05/18/16) 05/05 Kelly & Mike Crum 05/06 Katherine Pierce & Mike Hawley 05/07 Julie Haack & David Murray 05/08 Burgl & Ronnie Pruett 05/10 Nicole & Alex Browning 05/11 Ronda & Irwin Carmichael; Randi & George Edmiston 05/16 Scarlett & Jay Westmoreland 05/17 Heidi & Rob Hayden 05/18 Nancy & David Auger; Mary & David Vickers-Koch; Jane & Kevin Caldwell Visitors & Guests 17 Club Members 149 Total 166 Percentage 54.2% MEMBERSHIP 06/30/2015 319 05/03/2016 315 Net Increase: -4 New Members: Resignations: Omar Kazzaz Visitors: Sayra Brynn, David Hare, Patrick Graham, Warren Cooksey, Meg Fencil, Jennifer Brown, John Blackwelder, Van Hall, Rick English, Sharon Tyndall, Nancy Smith,
Katie Hallaway, Steven Allison, Maggie Akers, Virginia Luther, Barbara Van Meerten, Allyson Colaco UPCOMING LUNCHEONS (www.charlotterotary.org and click on the events tab) 05/10 – Anne Springs Close, Greenway of Charlotte 05/17 – Youth Merit Awards 05/24 – Youth Exchange Students, Radim & Anna
Photos from our luncheons and other events can be found on Flickr Click here
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