Durham Leaders Want Local Businesses To Help Solve Traffic Problems

Every business with more than 100 employees has three years to come up with a traffic-reduction plan.

"It's not just I-40. If we look just right here in Durham, our major arteries during peak times just come to a parking lot," says Bill Bell, Durham County Commissioner. "The real concept is to pull people out of their cars, get away from single-occupancy vehicles."

The Bull City wants businesses to encourage telecommuting and offer incentives to employees who carpool or use public transportation.

Companies will pay the county $200. In exchange, they will learn about resources that can help them clear clogged roads.

"They'll get all the information they need on the public transit services that are available, technical assistance on telecommuting," says Patrick Byker of theDurham Chamber of Commerce. "We'll be developing a large database for carpooling and vanpooling."

The next step for county leaders is getting the word out to businesses. Some employers -- such as IBM, Nortel and Duke -- are already on board.

If companies do not comply within three years, they could be fined $1,000.