Gene Conti, secretary of the state Department of Transportation, was building bridges this week.

Conti flew to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to meet with members of the state's congressional delegation or their staffs to try to receive federal stimulus money for the Yadkin River Bridge project. The project seeks to replace a 50-year-old bridge on Interstate 85 near Salisbury.

He also participated in an event held by Duke University to recognize five alumni of the university's Sanford School of Public Policy. Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar and Delaware Sen. Ted Kaufman spoke at the event.

In total, the trip cost the state about $610, including plane tickets, hotel fare and taxi rides.

Correction: Post originally misstated Luger and Kaufman's roles in the event.

CONCORD — One thing North Carolina's two main gubernatorial candidates agree on: Economic development will be a top priority of the next governor.

Republican Pat McCrory and Democrat Beverly Perdue spoke to more than 230 people at the N.C. Economic Developers Association conference at the Concord Convention Center, Jim Morrill reports.

"As mayor and as governor, a major priority will be jobs, jobs, jobs," said McCrory, the mayor of Charlotte. "The number one goal of the governor is to sell the state."

McCrory outlined a 10-point plan for development, including new and traditional energy initiatives, a 50-year transportation plan and stopping what he called the "ridiculous internal competition" between regions.

He said one of his top priorities will be replacing the Yadkin River bridge on Interstate 85.

Perdue, the current lieutenant governor, said she would push for development in all 100 counties. She toputed her role in keeping the state's military bases open said North Carolina should be on the forefront of developing a "green" economy with wind and solar power.

And a one-time opponent oil drilling off the N.C. coast, she said, "Yes, there's a real role for off-shore drilling in the future."