U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced legislation last week that would designate the Raleigh, North Carolina-Norfolk, Virginia highway corridor as part of the U.S. interstate system.
The Road to Opportunity and Development (ROAD) Act of 2015 proposes significant improvements to the transportation conditions in the region, as well as developing opportunities for more robust commerce and investment and creating jobs.
Under the ROAD Act, priority will be given to the conversion of U.S. Route 64 to an interstate highway. The affected segment of Route 64 stretches from its intersection in Raleigh, North Carolina, northward through Rocky Mount, Williamston and Elizabeth City in North Carolina to the intersection with U.S. Route 17 in Norfolk.
The roads will become part of the interstate system once they’re fully completed and receive a number of necessary upgrades. The anticipated designation is expected to bring relief to the heavily congested area between Norfolk, Raleigh and along the Mid-Atlantic coast.
“I am pleased to introduce yet another bipartisan bill that focuses on improving our state’s infrastructure, reducing traffic congestion and supporting the creation of good-paying North Carolina jobs,” Tillis said. “The ROAD Act will prove essential in enhancing interstate commerce between North Carolina and Virginia, and promoting economic growth for local communities along the Raleigh-Norfolk corridor.”
The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA). U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) has introduced a companion bill in the House.
“The ROAD Act will open up new opportunities in North Carolina,” Burr explained. “Legislation like this is vital to our state’s infrastructure, benefiting all of those who use our roads and highways, and encourages economic expansion by connecting some of the East Coast’s largest ports to North Carolina’s cities and towns. I’m excited to see the possibilities the ROAD Act will open for all North Carolinians.”