NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 20, 1998

WAKE TOWNS APPEAL TO NC DOT FOR HELP WITH HWY. 55 CONGESTION

CARY -- A cadre of elected officials from Cary and surrounding jurisdictions took their concerns about HWY. 55 straight to the top on Tuesday. Cary Mayor Koka Booth and Council member Melba Sparrow, along with leaders from Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Morrisville, and the Research Triangle Foundation, met with NC DOT Secretary Norris Tolson to draw his attention to what they see as a critical situation.

"None of us is big enough to handle a regional issue like this alone," said Mayor Koka Booth who called Tuesday’s meeting with Tolson "very positive". "As representatives of the people most affected by the condition of HWY. 55," added Booth, "we are obligated to share our concerns and work together toward a solution. Secretary Tolson was very receptive."

The portion of HWY. 55 addressed in Tuesday’s meeting focuses on a two-lane section which links Apex and other points south and east to the Research Triangle Park. While NC DOT is planning improvements to HWY. 55 farther south, the portion of HWY. 55 from US 64 near Apex to state road 1121 near RTP is currently scheduled to be widened by NC DOT sometime after 2004, a date which is too far away for many who live and work in the area.

During peak times, traffic is often backed up for miles with hour long delays very common, according to the group. They also contend that much of the congestion is due to commuter traffic from outside Wake County traveling through the area. In addition, the group is concerned that improvements up to Apex which exclude the final leg to RTP would only cause a bottleneck in Apex, creating an even more severe problem in the future.

"We understand the complexities of transportation issues," said Council member Sparrow. "What we wanted from this meeting was to raise the Secretary’s awareness of this particular need and to express our commitment to participate in the solution."

Cary and the other jurisdictions pledged to do everything they can to assist NC DOT with making a difference on HWY. 55 as soon as possible, including bringing to the table creative alternatives which might involve public-private partnerships. The group has asked NC DOT to take another look at the entire HWY. 55 corridor. Even if the project were put into motion today, it could be as many as five years before the work was completed.

In addition to Tolson, Booth, and Sparrow, those attending Tuesday’s meeting included Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly, Fuquay-Varina Mayor Bob Barker, Garner Mayor Donald Rohrbaugh, Holly Springs Mayor Pro Tem Bob Kapel, and Morrisville Mayor Pro Tem Mark Silver-Smith as well as Jim Roberson and Liz Rook of the Research Triangle Foundation.

PRIMARY CONTACTS: Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951