Opinion: Interstate 87 could be a highway of opportunities

Many people have never heard of the Interstate 87 expansion and fewer know a different interstate named I-87 in New York state. It is a small interstate, about 13 miles long, extending from Raleigh, North Carolina, to the northeast with plans to expand to Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina. This has potential for more than $3 billion of economic impact for Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina.

The current proposal for I-87 exceeds 200 miles and changes the local interstate network. This connects Raleigh and the area’s networks of major highways including I-40, I-85 and numerous smaller routes before heading east. It proceeds to I-95, into rural northeastern North Carolina and eventually to Norfolk. Consequently, various impoverished communities in North Carolina would be connected, including Woodville, Windfall and Berthold among others. This will be huge in size and economic gains from connecting the Port of Virginia to the region.

I-87 enhances the economies of Tidewater and North Carolina because of the port. According to the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at Old Dominion University, two-thirds of freight travel by trucks and are used within 275 miles of the port. Expanding this highway south increases port opportunities with nonstop transportation of goods. Furthermore, the port gives the region its competitive advantage over the east coast while I-87 complements it. This is the only port capable of offloading the heaviest freighters on the east coast while centrally located. Meanwhile, providing easy access to Richmond, Washington, D.C., and south using I-87 including Raleigh.

The port is a major regional employer and source of GDP to the commonwealth. In 2021, it provided 436,000 jobs and $27 billion in wages. The College of William & Mary reported in 2014 that 6.8% of the state’s GDP came from it. These numbers do not include jobs supporting the port, ranging from semi truckers to repair personnel. Tidewater will benefit from the interstate’s interaction with the port and new commerce with northeastern North Carolina.

Hampton Roads could benefit from new business opportunities and workforce by encouraging North Carolinians to conduct commerce in Tidewater. They could sell agriculture, procure materials, ship items globally and more. The Business North Carolina magazine reports the Albemarle region has more than 80,000 residents cut off from business centers such as Hampton Roads. Wayne Harris, an economic developer with Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County, explained to The Virginian-Pilot that the transportation issue is the “primary reason many northeast North Carolina counties are the poorest in the state.” He explains there is no substitute for nonstop, rapid travel, and that potential business owners considering the area always ask where the closest interstate is. Hampton Roads would benefit from firms marketing their goods here and new labor entering our market looking for higher wages.

Another benefit is accessing Raleigh’s rapidly growing Metropolitan Statistical Area to tap into their growth. The current State of the Region report illustrates Hampton Roads’ MSA has underperformed the state in job growth. From 2010-2020, the number of jobs in this area grew by only 9% while the state grew at 13%. Meanwhile Raleigh took the opposite path. From 2020-2022, the Raleigh and Durham MSA grew its employment by almost 5% while Hampton Road lost 3% of jobs. Raleigh is a beacon of innovation and formed a research triangle with Durham and Chapel Hill. The Triangle has three level-one research universities, including Duke University, which are integrating with businesses to innovate. This presents Hampton Roads with the opportunity to grow with Raleigh.

Clearly I-87 is the best opportunity for Hampton Roads. It will result in significant economic growth for both areas. Now it is up to you to call on your state representatives to pass funding bills for this project, which has been debated by the state for years.

Joseph Hollar is a native of Portsmouth. He expects to graduate this fall with a degree in finance from Old Dominion University.