Pipeline spill
“Contrary to some media reports, this area does not have a gasoline crisis,” he told council. “While some stations have experienced shortages for a period of time, local distributors have worked to ensure tanker deliveries of gasoline are arranged so that any disruptions to our supply are minimized as much as possible.”
He said the pipeline has been repaired as of today, “And while it will take a few days for full service to be restored to the pipeline operations, there is no need for the public to panic in fear of a widespread gasoline shortage.”
Scherer said Governor Pat McCrory’s office has taken steps to try and prevent vendors from excessive fuel prices, along with trying to get federal highway restrictions lifted to minimize any disruptions in fuel supply delivery until the pipeline flow can be fully restored. “The city administration has not experienced any problems from a fuel shortage and department heads have coordinated with local suppliers for delivery arrangements and information updates.”

Potential DOT projects
Meanwhile, Scherer addressed the last meeting of the Peanut Belt RPO. He and Councilman Ernest Bobbitt serve on the technical subcommittee, which reviewed a number of potential projects under consideration by the state Department of Transportation.
The projects he and Bobbitt considered high priority and assigned the highest point possible were as follows:
A new sidewalk on Tenth Street between Marshall Street and Park Avenue.
Widen Highway 48 between Roanoke Avenue and Highway 46 in Gaston including the bridge.
Widen Highway 125 from Interstate 95 to Old Farm Road.
Widen Highway 125 to three lanes from Smith Church Road to Old Farm Road.
Improvements at the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport were also discussed and prioritized — new hangars and taxiway. “It was indicated these improvements may be funded by separate accounts within NCDOT and not from general fund sources like the other projects.”
Scherer noted to council there is no guarantee the projects will get funded in the future. “I wanted you to know about them and that we are trying to improve the transportation network within the city and surrounding area.”