Building Roads - A Plan for the Future
By: Suzanne Bledsoe
    
                         
Natalie English introduced our speaker, John Nance, commenting that his presence is very timely given the recent long awaited announcement regarding the completion of the I-485 loop project. John, Chief Engineer of Operations for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), shared with us some of the background behind the planning for this project in particular and the building of our road system in general.
 
Governor Perdue announced on Monday that the NCDOT has crafted a plan to speed completion of the I-485 loop around Charlotte by 5 years and, in so doing, save taxpayers somewhere between $50 and $100 million. The specifics of the plan include a combination of three Charlotte area projects-completion of the last five miles of the I-485 loop, construction of the interchange that connects the loop to I-85 north of Charlotte, and the widening of I-85 into Cabarrus County from four lanes to eight lanes. John gave us the background on this innovative and money saving solution, known by the NCDOT as "Design/Build/Finance." The specifics of the plan call for engaging one contractor to both build and design the project as well as participate in its financing. As John pointed out, the key advantage of this structure is that it allows all three projects to be put out for bid at the same time…in a very competitive and beneficial construction environment. The combination of projects will result in the widening of I-85 north to be accelerated by eighteen months, with no delays in other projects in and around Charlotte or the rest of the state. This approach, used successfully in other states, will become a model for future transportation initiatives in North Carolina. John commended our city and county planning organizations for focusing on prioritizing projects, which allowed the NCDOT to develop a plan that will have greater impact on the transportation system in Charlotte and its surrounding communities.
 
John shared with us that the NCDOT has also embarked on a prioritization process which addresses such factors as pavement conditions, traffic congestion and road safety, incorporating input from local government planning groups. The approach is data driven and addresses both infrastructure (existing roadways) as well as new projects. The output of this process includes a very detailed five year plan, which is accessible on the NCDOT website (http://www.ncdot.org).  The written published plan serves to add a measure of accountability for the NCDOT staff and enhances communication and the sharing of knowledge between the NCDOT and taxpayers.
John ended his remarks by congratulating Charlotte on being proactive, on prioritizing and on being a model for other communities in North Carolina.
  
 
Head Table: Fernando Ycaza, Mark Turner, John Snyder, Natalie English, Todd Hartung, Michelle Monteith;
Invocation: Liz Irwin;
Visitors & Guests: John Shell; Health & Happiness: John Tabor; Song: Biff Virkler: Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Welcome to the club's newest Rotarian, Harold Cogdell. Harold, sponsored by Pender McElroy, is at Law Offices of Harold Cogdell, Jr. and can be reached at Harold@consultmyattorney.com.
                   
• Regina Patton reports Baby Levi's birth weight has gotten up to 5 1/2 pounds and Regina and Mike were able to bring him home from the hospital last week; congratulations to winners of Leadership Charlotte's Legacy Awards: Janet Fortner - Schley R. Lyons Circle of Excellence Award and Carol Hardison - Community Service Award; Karen Calder will be leaving Classroom Central in December and is joining Community Blood Center of the Carolinas as Director of Development and Community Relations.; Al Allison has donated an electronic key board, amp and travel stand to the club. Be looking for new sounds coming out of the music committee; due to a history of epileptic seizures, Mary Erwin has had her driving privileges revoked indefinitely and subsequently, has had to resign her Rotary membership.
 
• Charlotte North Rotary will have a wine tasting fund raiser November 19 from 5-7pm at the Map Shop, 1500 E. Morehead Street. Proceeds will be used to drill a well in Kenya. Tickets are available at the door for $10. Parking is in the two adjacent lots or across the street at the farmer's market.

• John Tabor recognized Tom O'Brien as a Level One contributor to The Rotary Foundation. There was also a surprise move to Level Three for Bill Meanor, made possible by his good friend Chris Kemper.

• Salvation Army Bell Ringing: The 2009 Bell Ringing schedule is available here. Committee chair Mark Norman qualified the entire room as official bell ringers! Check your availability and sign up - November 23 to December 13.
 
• Warm Clothing Drive: warm clothing, hats, gloves, blankets, will be collected during the month of November. Jim Adams has arranged drop-off tables in the hotel's parking deck and will also be glad to coordinate home pickups. Contact Jim at 704-575-9303. Donations will benefit clients served by Crisis Assistance Ministry.
      
• Rotary Foundation Banquet: November 16 at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Concord. Reception at 6pm and the meeting will begin at 7pm. Jody Zogran, polio nurse connected to Dr.Salk's polio vaccine research team, will share her perspective of polio from vaccine development through the effect polio has on its victims and their families. $40 per person.