North Carolina’s corporate tax rate, the lowest in the United States, coupled with being a “right-to-work” state is attracting big manufacturing plants to the state, providing the area with an economic boom and DRMP with opportunities to showcase its Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) capabilities.
Under a three-year on-call contract with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), DRMP is providing CEI Services for the $5.9 billion Toyota electric vehicle battery manufacturing megasite in Liberty, N.C.; the $4 billion VinFast Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Chatham County, N.C.; and the $500 million Boom Supersonic “Overture Superfactory” in Greensboro, N.C., which is building and testing the world’s fastest airliner.
These projects – all located in proximity of each other near US 421 – will eventually create thousands of new jobs. The projects have given DRMP the opportunity to meet with different people who are learning about our engineering capabilities, leading to the possibility of our firm winning future work.
Toyota Megasite
DRMP is providing CEI for the site prep of the Greensboro-Randolph County Toyota megasite where the automobile manufacturer will be producing batteries for its electric vehicles.
This is an unusual contract because Toyota is not your typical Department of Transportation site. There are different specs, procedures, and pay items we generally don’t see on other projects. This contract is allowing our firm to demonstrate our team's adaptability and capability to perform various duties.
HDR is designing three new interchanges on US 421 to allow better access to the Toyota megasite, provide additional safety, and accommodate more traffic in Randolph County. This project involves 7 miles of upgraded roadway and three new bridges all the way through the project site.
US 421 off-ramp at the Toyota megasite
DRMP is managing administration, project estimates, and the inspection of bridges, roadway, grading, piping, paving, and utility work for the site.
The new roadway is being built to interstate standards as the state plans to designate US 421 to become the proposed I-685, a future interstate between Greensboro and Dunn that would provide greater connectivity and mobility to the megasites and throughout the region.
Culvert and bridge construction at the Toyota megasite
VinFast and the Overture Superfactory
VinFast, a manufacturer of electric vehicles headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., will produce electric cars and batteries at its new facility at Triangle Innovation Point, a more than 450-acre life science and advanced manufacturing park in Chatham County, N.C. NCDOT has not obtained the right-of-way for this project for DRMP to be able to start CEI work. Our work on this project is expected to commence in spring 2024.
DRMP CEI team on site at the Overture Superfactory
Construction of the Overture Superfactory began in January 2023 at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, N.C., to build a high-speed airliner called the “Overture.” DRMP is providing one CEI expert for inspection of the roadway and structures on this project.
DRMP’s Expansion in North Carolina
Our firm has been providing engineering services for NCDOT under the on-call contract for several years, and we just won another round of work in August for an additional three years of work under the contract. DRMP’s goal is to expand our capabilities statewide.
While DRMP has not yet achieved full statewide coverage in North Carolina, our firm is steadily advancing toward that goal. DRMP is actively providing services in 11 of the 14 NCDOT divisions, with the remaining three located along the state’s coast. In January 2024, the firm was engaged by NCDOT for a project in Wilmington, representing a strategic opportunity to establish a presence in the coastal region and further expand our footprint statewide.
Operating in a state recognized for its pro-business environment, marked by a low corporate tax rate, right-to-work legislation, and strong transportation infrastructure, presents significant advantages. DRMP is proud to be a trusted partner of NCDOT, an agency known for its high standards and commitment to building a safe, efficient, and reliable transportation network.
While projects of this scale may be rare in the region, DRMP’s experience and successful track record in CEI services for major manufacturing facilities position the firm well for future opportunities as they arise.
