Legislators view construction progress during site tour

Northampton County, NC --- The earth, or at least a lot of it, is moving at the project site of the North Carolina Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR). That fact was abundantly apparent as a group of local and state representatives led by North Carolina House of Representatives Speaker Joe Hackney joined Lotus Engineering executives and the NCCAR project team for a first-hand look at construction progress on the 620-acre automotive testing site.

Representative Michael Wray of Northampton County welcomed the legislative delegation saying “The North Carolina House of Representatives has been steadfast in support of the NCCAR project. It’s great to see this coming together. And we thank each of you for your commitment and your vision in moving this project and North Carolina forward.” Joining Wray and Speaker Hackney for the tour were representatives Jim Crawford (Granville), Bill Owens (Pasquotank), Joe Tolson (Edgecombe), Lucy Allen (Franklin), Angela Bryant (Nash), and Senator Ed Jones (Halifax).

While touring the site via a convoy of trucks and SUV’s, project managers provided officials a thorough report on the work underway. Progress onsite to date includes clearing of 155 acres for Phase 1A features; completion of stormwater retention, sedimentation and erosion control devices; and seeding of the Phase 1A perimeter. Primary grading of interior roadways and building pads is also complete.

According to Mark Smith, National Director of Planning and Land Development for lead project engineer McKim & Creed (www.mckimcreed.com), crews from PLT Construction will be working six days a week for at least four to five more months on the earthwork. “I’ve seen slow moving earthwork --- this is not it,” he said. PLT is moving nearly 9,000 cubic yards of earth daily and upon completion of the current construction phase will have moved more than 500,000 cubic yards.

The site tour included viewing the future site of the operations and engineering building as well as a portion of the project’s signature ride and handling course and integrated vehicle dynamics area. When completed, Phase 1A will include 2.03 miles of the 4.6 mile ride and handling course; the integrated vehicle dynamics area; security station; and an operations and engineering building with six double-bay client garages, conferencing facilities and three engineering suites.

According to Don Graunstadt, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Engineering, Inc., the project taking shape will provide substantial benefits for both the automotive industry and the state. “We recognized the potential early on and have worked with the legislature, the department of commerce, the industry and the project team to develop NCCAR as a highly-capable center for developing, testing and refining advanced automotive technologies,” Graunstadt said. “Even now, before we’re operational on site, that potential is being realized as evidenced by the National Science Foundation research we’ve begun with NC State and New Jersey Institute of Technology in developing advanced driver assist technologies. Ultimately, proving of those systems will take place right here.”

Doug Moore, Lotus Director of Administration, agreed adding “What you see under construction is just the start, and it’s a good start. Industry demand for independent testing facilities is growing steadily. Product development cycles are accelerating. Margins continue to tighten. Regulatory pressures are increasing along with consumer demands. The challenge for all of us is to fully complete Phase 1 soon and continue to build our university and community college programs. With that, North Carolina will demonstrate a very serious intent to offer remarkable capabilities in supporting automotive research and development.”

NCCAR officials report that construction has proceeded steadily and is on schedule and budget, accomplishments they attribute to careful planning and precise execution by project engineers and contractors. Project managers have also cited the support and guidance received from the Office of State Budget and Management and State Construction Office as being very valuable in successfully moving the project forward.

With the steady roar of earthmoving equipment in the background, Dr. Fred Gallasch, a retired General Motors executive who serves on the NCCAR Board of Directors, commented “It’s exciting. So many have worked so hard, and this is being done so well. Great progress, great project.”

NCCAR construction progress photos can be viewed on the NCCAR website at www.nccar.us

About NCCAR: The North Carolina Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR) is a modern automotive testing facility for use in the design, development, testing and certification of advanced vehicle technologies, sub-systems and components. NCCAR is a State funded initiative that is designed to combine the resources and skills of North Carolina's industries, academic institutions and strategies to put North Carolina at the front of advanced vehicle technologies and hence jobs The Research Center is a public-private partnership that matches the talents of multi-national automotive companies with those of North Carolina's leading universities. NCCAR is world class and focused on next generation research and development in the automotive industry. For more information, www.nccar.us