More East End Connector

Secretary Tippett forwarded your recent email requesting funding
for the Durham East End Connector (TIP project U-71) to me and
asked that I respond. Planning and environmental studies for the
project are currently underway. Unless unexpected complications
arise we should finish this process in 2008, allowing for us to
initiate right of way acquisition activities in 2010 as is
currently scheduled in the Transportation Improvement Program.
Based on this schedule, the earliest possible date for start of
construction would be 2012. The actual start of construction;
however, is dependent on availability of funds.

All urban loop projects, such as the East End Connector, must
compete with nine other loops statewide for severly limited
funding. Recently, the Legislature has added more than
$2.5 billion in eligibility to the loop program, but provided no
additional revenue to address this increase in program cost.
These additions included a complete redefinition of the Durham
loop to include projects totaling $400 million by Durham's own
estimate. This is nearly three and a half times the estimated
cost for the original Durham loop that was rejected by the
community. Because of the limited budget and numerous additions
to the loop program, we currently project that the loop program
can be completed no earlier than 2030.

The budgets and schedules for all loop projects are currently
under review. I am sure that the Board of Transportation will
take the importance of this project to the Durham community into
account as they set funding priorities for the annual loop
program budget of roughly $150 million.

Thank you for your interest in our transportation program.

Calvin Leggett, P.E.
Manager, Program Development Branch

translation: you guys wouldn't let us build the Eno Drive project. now fuck off.