WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) introduced a bipartisan bill to designate two highways as “high priority corridors” and “future interstates” that will better connect Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, the North Carolina Global TransPark, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, and the Port of Morehead City with the rest of North Carolina and the eastern seaboard.
Congressman Walter Jones (NC-03) is the lead cosponsor of H.R. 1844, or the Military Corridor Transportation Improvement Act of 2015, which will guarantee the east-west U.S. Highway 70 corridor from Raleigh to the Port of Morehead City will be built to interstate standards and prioritized when allocating funding for federal highways. The legislation seeks to also connect the north-south Interstate 795 corridor from the City of Goldsboro to Interstate 40 by ensuring improvements to a section of U.S. Highway 117. The bill will improve transportation between area military installations, support the growth of the Port at Morehead City, alleviate traffic bottlenecks, and make Raleigh more accessible to eastern North Carolinians.
“Improving transportation in eastern North Carolina is vital to strengthening our state’s economy, improving military readiness and commerce, and reducing traffic congestion,” Butterfield said. “The Military Corridor Transportation Improvement Act would connect cities and military bases throughout eastern North Carolina with a major port, the state capital, and the eastern seaboard. This vital legislation will benefit the entire region, and stimulate job growth throughout eastern North Carolina.”
“It is necessary to improve transportation for the future economic prosperity and military readiness of eastern North Carolina, which is why I’m proud to be the lead cosponsor on The Military Corridor Transportation Improvement Act,” said Congressman Jones. “I look forward to working with the rest of the North Carolina delegation to improve the corridors and highways in eastern North Carolina.”
Senator Thom Tillis, who will introduce the Senate companion bill said, “In midst of a sluggish national economy, North Carolina has been a bright spot for growth and innovation, and one of the keys to sustaining that economic success is through continued investment in transportation, infrastructure, and our military. The Military Corridor Transportation Improvement Act is a true bipartisan effort to support North Carolina’s military installations and complement the state’s 25-year transportation-improvement plan, which in turn will generate economic development, provide a boost for local communities and create good-paying jobs.”
H.R. 1844 is supported by North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Secretary of Transportation Tony Tata, the U.S. 70 Corridor Commission, the Wayne County Transportation Committee and many local governmental entities, chambers of commerce and regional transportation associations.
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that $1 billion in transportation funding can support approximately 30,000 jobs which would be critical to economic development in eastern North Carolina. Passing legislation to designate the highways as future interstates can lead to future investments in and modernization of highway infrastructure in the region. This legislation is the first step in Butterfield’s plan to help build a strong transportation network, put North Carolinians to work, and strengthen the economy of eastern North Carolina.
Representatives David Price (NC-04), Mark Meadows (NC-11), George Holding (NC-13), David Rouzer (NC-07), and Dr. Alma S. Adams (NC-12) are also cosponsors of this bill.