‘Holy Toledo!’ Officials, execs talk N.C.’s chances of landing Amazon HQ2
(Triangle Business Journal, September 7, 2017)

As Amazon unveiled plans to seek out the location for a second North American headquarters, economic developers started salivating Thursday, including those in North Carolina.

Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition, says the Triangle also has the logistics to attract Amazon.

Have you driven on Interstate 87 yet? 
(Raleigh News & Observer, Wednesday, September 6, 2017)

Drivers in the Triangle may notice some new interstate highway signs, after the N.C. Department of Transportation erected the familiar red and blue shields for Interstate 87 on the southeast corner of the Beltline and on U.S. 64/264 between Raleigh and Wendell.

Economic developers says the interstate designation helps attract businesses that prize good highway access. The Regional Transportation Alliance, a business group associated with the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, has pressed for the interstate designation for years, even though U.S. 64 is already a limited-access highway.

Signage makes new interstate official in Wake County 
(Triangle Business Journal, Wednesday, September 6, 2017)

With new I-87 signs installed Tuesday, Wake County receives a connectivity boost and Wendell has its first interstate. That's according to officials celebrating what the signage could mean for economic development in the Triangle.

Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition, calls the designation “an economic development driver” for Wake County.

Raleigh-Durham Int’l Adds New Routes with Support of Local Businesses
(Airport Improvement, September 2017)

In May, Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) received a giant shot in the arm when it was named the best-connected medium-sized airport in the United States.

The airport convinced Delta to add the Paris route with help from the Regional Transportation Alliance, a 10-county coalition of 23 chambers of commerce and more than 100 leading businesses. 

Wake Forest Chamber Members Ride The Bus To Learn About Current And Future Transit Plans
(Rolesville Buzz, August 2017)

On July 27, approximately 20 members of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce and several members of the town board enjoyed a jaunt around town on the Wake Forest Loop bus.

During the hour-long bus ride that began at 5:30 p.m. on that Thursday, Joe Milazzo II, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance; Sig Hutchinson, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners; and Jeff Mann, general manager of GoTriangle, spoke about the $2.3 billion Wake County Transit Plan and how northeastern Wake County can benefit from transit going forward.

Feds approve next step for Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit
Triangle Business Journal, July 31, 2017

Jeff Mann, general manager of regional transit authority GoTriangle, notified Durham and Orange county commissioners Friday that the light rail project had secured approval from the Federal Transit Administration to proceed into the full engineering phase.

“This is a major hurdle overcome and a very significant milestone for a future high-capacity transit linkage that will connect two of the three points of our growing Triangle,” says Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance, in an email.

NCDOT Secretary: We want to accelerate I-540 project 
Triangle Business Journal, July 14, 2017

State officials hope to accelerate the much-anticipated 'Complete 540' project.

That’s according to North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Trogdon, who told a group of leaders at the Regional Transportation Alliance 2017 Transportation Breakfast he was close to an official announcement. “We are working diligently to accelerate [540],” he said.

Joe Milazzo, executive director of the RTA business coalition, has said repeatedly the priority is to accelerate that by two years.

Relief coming sooner for Crabtree Mall traffic in Raleigh
Triangle Business Journal, Friday, June 30, 2017

A plan to construct a completely new Interstate 440 interchange with U.S. 70 near Crabtree Valley Mall in Wake County is among a handful of projects being accelerated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition, said the city had identified the need years ago. The goal is providing "maximum accessibility," and not just for shoppers hoping to quicken commutes to the mall.

GoTriangle CEO: Time is right for electric buses in the Triangle
Triangle Business Journal, Friday, June 30, 2017

If all goes as planned, seven electric buses will be traversing the Triangle by 2019.

Joe Milazzo, executive director for the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition, was among those who wrote letters of support for the grant.

Cover Story: Where does RDU rank among nation’s airports? And why?
Triangle Business Journal, Friday, June 9, 2017

By many accounts, Raleigh-Durham International Airport is booming.

Transportation in particular is where the report finds RDU lacking.

Even so, Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition, says leaders he talks to all have “positive things” to say about the airport’s accessibility.

NC transportation projects lack needed funding, report says
(WNCN CBS North Carolina, Thursday, May 11, 2017)

A new report by transportation research group TRIP shows North Carolina has only 17 percent of the funding it needs for transportation projects through the next 10 years.

At a press conference Thursday, the executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance said the time to act is now.

“When people think of the Triangle they don’t think of traffic. They think of growth and prosperity. We would like to keep it that way,” said Joe Milazzo.

Group says North Carolina should spend more on transportation
(WTVD ABC-11 TV, Thursday, May 11, 2017)

North Carolina needs more transportation funding to keep up with the demands of growth.

"When people think of the Triangle, Raleigh-Durham they don't think of traffic, they think of growth, they think of prosperity, they think of innovation," said Joe Milazzo with the Regional Transportation Alliance. "We'd like to keep it that way."

NCDOT Weighs Plans For Ramps On U.S. 70
(WUNC 91.5 FM, Friday, April 16, 2017) 

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is taking public comment on a plan to overhaul two busy intersections on U.S. 70.

The Regional Transportation Alliance represents the business community on transportation issues. Executive Director Joe Milazzo said replacing the stoplight intersections with flowing ramp and bridge interchanges would allow vehicle and foot-traffic to run more smoothly.

NCDOT proposes 2 interchanges for U.S. 70 corridor
(Triangle Business Journal, April 11, 2017) 

State officials are in the early stages of embarking on an ambitious, $58 million corridor upgrade at U.S. 70 – one they hope means a safer, less congested road for future commutes.

Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition, calls upgrading U.S. 70 between I-540 and Durham his group’s top freeway conversion priority.

NCDOT's plan to make I-540 commutes faster? $2.5M worth of ramp signals
(Triangle Business Journal, April 6, 2017) 

Signal installation is just one of the projects planned for I-540, which will soon host a driverless vehicle pilot program.

But it all pales in comparison to a project that’s been repeatedly called priority one by the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition: the $2.2 billion “Complete 540” project.

The latest NCDOT schedule doesn’t have the project moving forward for another three years, but that hasn’t stopped groups such as RTA from campaigning for an acceleration of the timetable. The current North Carolina Transportation Plan is in draft form, and RTA Director Joe Milazzo said Thursday in an email his team plans to be active in the public comment process.

Why a new 540 interchange is a 'big deal' for Triangle commutes 
(Triangle Business Journal, April 3, 2017)

A just-opened interchange gives drivers on Holly Springs’ Veridea Parkway a direct link to the Triangle Expressway – a connection officials hope can cut down on commute times.

Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition, says “anytime you can improve accessibility to the most advanced toll road in America it is a big deal.”

With $4.5M grant, Final section of Fuquay-Varina's Judd Parkway on track
(Triangle Business Journal, March 3, 2017) 

Armed with a $4.5 million grant from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), the town of Fuquay-Varina is months away from breaking ground on the final stretch of its Judd Parkway loop.

Joe Milazzo, executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance business leadership group, expects to see more municipalities take point on these kinds of projects as the Triangle grows.

Economist: Why fliers at RDU should watch for a rumored Delta-Korean Air joint venture
(Triangle Business Journal, February 28, 2017)

Reports that Delta Air Lines is in talks with Korean Air regarding a joint venture could translate into opportunity for the Triangle when it comes to Asian air connectivity. If it materializes, it would reportedly give Delta and Korean Air 14 percent of the trans-Pacific market.

Joe Milazzo, executive director of Raleigh-based Regional Transportation Alliance, points to L.A. (and Delta's upcoming Seattle service) as another way the partnership could hold "promise for enhanced future connections to Asia and Oceania."

How traffic in Raleigh, Durham compares to N.C., global cities
(Triangle Business Journal, February 22, 2017)

Stuck in traffic on your commute? Newly released data shows it could be much worse.

But the numbers could be better, says Joe Milazzo, executive director of Raleigh-based Regional Transportation Alliance business coalition.

DOT looks to hit accelerator on NC 540 construction
(WRAL TV, February 14, 2017) (video)

When will N.C. Highway 540 be finished?

Joe Milazzo, the executive director of the Regional Transportation Alliance, the business community's organization to advocate for major transportation projects, says completing N.C. 540 is the group's biggest priority. He says he likes the new timeline.

"Yesterday would be great, but as soon as they can get the project moving would be wonderful," he said.

"Faster is better."