Laurinburg councilmen asked the region's new DOT representative to beat the pavement on their behalf Thursday, laying out a list of top priorities.

City officials listed 10 projects they hope District representative David Burns will take back to the state's transportation board, with resurfacing the runway at the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport and widening U.S. 401 from Laurinburg to Raeford given as the top concerns.

Both projects seek to take advantage of Base Relocation and Closure, which is expected to bring tens of thousands to Fort Bragg ion Fayetteville and the surrounding area.

"I think there is the feeling that there is going to be a number of military subcontractors that relocate to the area," Mayor Matthew Block said.

He pointed to Gryphon Group moving in by the airport as an example of the potential for an influx of defense-related jobs.

"If we have a functioning airport that have good roads in and out then more of the companies that are going to follow the growth of Bragg are going to come to the Laurinburg-Maxton airport," Block said.

He added that having a four-lane highway from Laurinburg to Raeford could also could help Laurinburg's population grow as people could more easily commute to Fayetteville.

The airport project received a lot of attention as the dilapidated runway, considered by state aviation officials to be the worst in the state, is the airport's biggest obstacle to attracting new business and retaining current customers.

City Manager Ed Burchins said the development of the industrial park surrounding the airport and getting the full benefit of BRAC hinge on crumbling runway getting a much needed resurfacing.

Councilman Tommy Parker, who also serves on the airport commission, agreed with Burchins analysis. He said General Paul Dordal, executive director of the BRAC regional task force, presented a number of ways the airport can be leveraged to attract jobs to Scotland County, which has the second highest unemployment rate in the state, but only if the runway is fixed.

Burchins mentioned the possibility of the city taking out a bond and paying for the project up front with DOT paying off the debt over several years.

Burns said the idea was a good one and he would look into it.

The widening of U.S. 401 was an idea Burns took a particular liking to.

"That's the project I feel strongest about. I feel if there is an opportunity to get growth in the Laurinburg area, it is to get 401 to be four-lane from Raeford to Laurinburg," Burns said.

Council members also made inquiries to Burns on the following issues:

• The removal of the Future Interstate 74 Bypass signs;

• Maintenance and beautification projects for U.S. 401-Bypass;

• Possible straightening of DOT-owned street signs in Laurinburg;

• Beautification possibilities for the future roundabout on Lauchwood Drive;

• Maintenance and beautification of interchange ramps on US 401-Bypass and South Main Street exits;

• Lighting for exit signs on U.S. 74;

• Resurfacing South Main Street from John's Road to U.S. 401-Bypass.

• Improving U.S. 74 to federal interstate standards in Scotland County

Burns took issue with the lack of a unified front in Scotland County on local road needs. He had attended a lunch meeting on Wednesday with the Laurinburg-Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce where they discussed some local needs and Burns was given a list. At Thursday's meeting, he was given another list of possible projects from the city while a county commissioner was trying to contact him on a third list of projects in Scotland County.

"If we can all agree on what this community needs, I think we are going to make more progress than if various boards try to make contact about what needs to be done," Burns said.

Burns was tapped in November to be the District 8 representative to the North Carolina Board of Transportation, which oversees the state Department of Transportation. District 8 covers Scotland, Chatham, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Montgomery, Randolph and Richmond counties.

Local officials are hopeful that Burns will get more from DOT for Laurinburg than his predecessor, G.R. Kindley of Rockingham, as Burns lives in Laurinburg and has a rich history with the area.

Burns has worked for Z.V. Pate for 35 years. He recently retired as president and is serving as CEO until the end of the year to let Hew Fulton, the new president, learn the job before he leaves. He will then become chair of the board for Z.V. Pate.

Burns has a long history of service in Scotland County. His has previously chaired the Scotland County Board of Commissioners, the Laurinburg/Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce, Scotia Village and Scotland Health Care System.

He currently heads the board of trustees for St. Andrews Presbyterian College.