Economic Impact Analysis Continues Moving Forward | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release from the Hwy. 17 Association:

Online Survey Shows Support for Improving US 17

    As part of the Economic Impact Analysis, a public outreach effort is being conducted to gather input from the public on the current use of Highway 17 and the vision for the highway's future. One element of this public outreach effort was an online survey to help provide insight about the role US 17 plays in the region's economic development and investment priorities along the highway.

    During the course of the survey, which was conducted during June and July of 2012, over 480 responses were received from throughout the state of North Carolina, with the most respondents residing near the US 17 corridor. The largest group of respondents, 49 percent, indicated that they are employees, workers or managers, while 16 percent are business owners. Nearly 27 percent of respondents are retired. Elected or appointed officials accounted for 6 percent of responses. The remaining respondents are students.

    Survey responses showed that US 17 is a frequently traveled highway, with over 80 percent indicating that they travel the highway on a daily or weekly basis. The most common purpose for these trips is for frequent activities, for example shopping, school (47 percent of responses) and commuting to work (approximately 27 percent). Business travel and vacation travel each comprised 13 percent of responses.

    According to respondents, the most important aspect of US 17 is that it provides connection to local activities such as shopping, schools, etc. The next most important aspect is that the highway provides connection to major highways, including I-40, US 70 and US 64. That US 17 is the only north/south connection east of I-95 and that it brings tourists to Eastern NC were next in order of importance.

    The remaining survey questions related to respondents' greatest concern regarding US 17, economic benefits that may result from improvements, and the prioritizing of future improvements. Respondents identified safety and traffic congestion as their greatest concerns, and they believe that safety improvements and those that reduce travel time would have the most economic benefit. Overall, the improvements ranked as highest priority included improving dangerous intersections, developing more bypasses around cities, towns and other densely populated areas, and upgrading two-lane sections to four lanes.

    Respondents expressed that an improved US 17 would most likely result in expansion of local businesses and industries, therefore leading to more job creation. Responses also indicated that an improved US 17 would make traveling to visit family, friends and other local destinations much easier.

    Local Economic Impact Study briefings kick off in Jones County

   Jones County was the first stop in a series of briefings for local leaders on the progress of the Highway 17 Association economic impact study. Highway 17 Association Executive Director Marc Finlayson spoke to a group of twenty county and municipal elected officials as well as interested citizens.

    Mayor Jay Bender hosted the meeting at the Pollocksville town offices along the banks of the Trent River. Jones County Manager Franky Howard participated, as did Commissioners Joe Wiggins, Sondra Riggs and Mike Haddock. Town board members from Pollocksville, Maysville and Trenton also attended. Jason Semple represented the NC Department of Commerce from its eastern region offices in Greenville.

    State Senator Harry Brown also participated. He spoke to the group about the importance of a fully improved US 17 through North Carolina for safety, mobility and economic development. Sen. Brown represents Jones and Onslow Counties. The Jones County group was very engaged in the discussion and Finlayson fielded many questions about the study and about progress along the US 17 corridor. He considered the first of the local briefings to be a great success.

    Economic Developers' Perspectives

    During the week of June 25, the US 17 team conducted three conference calls with economic developers in the study region. The goal of these calls was to get some input from local industrial recruiters regarding the potential economic implications of the recommended improvements to US 17.

    All participants acknowledged that US 17 is a strong economic development asset...no controversy there. Some noted that it has evolved from primarily an asset for tourism to more of an industrial corridor. Manufacturing industries that now benefit from the corridor are appliances, automotive parts and biotechnology. Also important is the ability of agricultural producers to get their products to market, either via the region's ports or the highway system. The military bases and their contractors depend on US 17 for moving troops and military supplies.

    Much of the discussion focused on the benefits resulting from the implemented and proposed US 17 improvements. Recent positive trends include the development of advanced manufacturing plants now scattered along US 17 and increased tourism as people can get to the NC beaches more easily. Improvements to US 17 in southeast NC, and to a lesser extent in the northeast, have created a framework for economic growth in terms of residential, resort and retail development. Many mentioned that the lack of interstate designation and the need to upgrade numerous sections of US 17 with widening, bypass and interchange projects are constraints for industrial development. Once implemented, the recruiters predicted that these transportation improvements will foster continued growth and expansion of the regional economy, as well as enhance the region's ability to attract and retain skilled workers.

    Needs Assessment Examines Options for Improving US 17

    The US 17 Needs Assessment and Alternative Improvement Scenarios report is a high-level safety planning assessment of the capacity, safety and modernization needs of US 17 and identifies a prioritized set of improvement options. The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and Spot Safety Program have several projects planned to improve the capacity, safety and modernization of the US 17 corridor. The STIP provides for over 60 miles of US 17 to be relocated to new alignment, with bypasses added or completed around Washington, New Bern, Wilmington and Hampstead. In addition, widening of the existing highway is planned for more than 25 miles in Onslow, Jones, Beaufort and Martin Counties. However, even with these improvements, the US 17 corridor still has some deficiencies, including almost two miles of US 17 through Onslow County that is projected to be very congested in 2035. In addition, eight intersections and a half-mile segment will require safety improvements, and approximately 63 miles of shoulder paving must take place.

    Before it is possible to accurately analyze the potential economic benefits of an improved US 17, the project team first examined potential improvement options as they relate to the goals of the Highway 17 Association. The first improvement option looked at the existing US 17 plus the improvements that will result from all projects in the STIP and Spot Safety Program. Under the second improvement option, all of US 17 would be upgraded to freeway standards; however, in order to accomplish this objective nearly 200 miles of US 17 will need to be upgraded. While the stated mission of the Highway 17 Association is to secure sufficient funding to upgrade the entire 282-mile corridor to freeway standards, the amount of remaining work places a high price tag on such a program. A third improvement option would be one that includes unfunded projects in the STIP and addresses the remaining capacity, low speed limits, or modernization deficiencies that would remain following completion of the first improvement option. However, in addition to the unfunded STIP projects, modernization improvements are still required for nearly 46 miles of US 17.

What Are the Next Steps?

    • We conducted interviews with military officials and planners in early August in order to get some input from them regarding the potential benefits to the military. That information is being analyzed.

    • The economic impact attributed to the construction of US 17 roadway improvements, the increased economic activity resulting from improved corridor accessibility, improved safety and reduced travel times will be calculated. The economic impact analysis should be completed in September 2012.

    • Numerous outreach activities including regional and county presentations and an Association newsletter will then follow to publicize the results of the economic impact analysis.