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 us to demonstrate our 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  

Prior to working for DRMP as a North Carolina CEI Area Leader, I worked for NCDOT for 31 years and cultivated relationships with various firms NCDOT worked with. Because of my experience working with multiple firms on projects, NCDOT allowed me to serve as Resident Engineer supporting them in setting up the CEI teams for these manufacturing plant projects as well as providing leadership and guidance to the entire team.

I am pleased our team continues to be successful in providing CEI services on these projects. NCDOT has been happy with the entire DRMP CEI team.

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.

Though DRMP has not become statewide yet in North Carolina, we are inching closer to providing services in all 14 NCDOT divisions. Our firm provides services in every division except for the three NCDOT divisions along North Carolina’s coast. We have an opportunity to expand our services with a job NCDOT has called us to do in Wilmington in January 2024, which gets our foot in the door to expand on the coast.

It is an honor to work for an engineering firm held in high regard by NCDOT and in a state in the midst of a business boom. North Carolina’s low corporate tax rate, its right-to-work law, and its good transportation system attracts companies to want to be here. NCDOT maintains a high level of service and builds an efficient and reliable transportation network.

I am unaware of any other projects this big coming to our area again. But if they do, our expertise and proven record performing CEI work on these manufacturing plants helps pave the way for new opportunities for DRMP.