Oct. 17. [Analysis] By Kurt Naas. The Red Line commuter rail from Charlotte to Mooresville is back in the news again. Norfolk Southern has finally agreed to negotiate the sale of their tracks, Charlotte Area Transportation System (CATS) is kicking off a series of town halls, and Charlotte is proposing a county-wide sales tax increase […]
Oct. 17. By Dave Vieser. For months, officials from the North Mecklenburg towns of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville, as well as the city of Charlotte have been working hard to rekindle the idea of a commuter line, known as the Red Line, that would operate from the Queen City to the northern suburbs. Over the […]
Sept. 26. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will host public meetings on the updated design of the Red Line Commuter Rail. The Red Line is a 25-mile commuter rail project to connect the downtowns of Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, potentially extending into Mt. Mourne in Mooresville. There will be a brief presentation at […]
Sept. 19. The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution 6-3 to support legislation to allow Mecklenburg County voters to decide on a 1 cent sales tax to address transportation needs in the county. The preliminary approval means the draft legislation goes to the North Carolina General Assembly for consideration. If approved, the issue […]
Sept. 10. By Dave Vieser. The Red Line Commuter Rail Project, designed to serve Cornelius and other North Meck communities, took another step forward as Charlotte finalized the purchase of the O-Line from the Norfolk Southern for $74 million. Charlotte City Council voted 10-1 last week to approve the purchase of the right of way. […]
Sept. 6. By Dave Yochum. The three mayors of North Mecklenburg have put out a letter supporting a referendum on a one-cent sales tax increase to fund road improvements as well as the Red Line from Charlotte to Lake Norman. The Cornelius and Huntersville Boards voted to request the state General Assembly authorize a countywide […]
Aug. 28. By Dave Yochum. Charlotte plans to buy 22 miles of Norfolk Southern’s O-Line for $74 million and, pending Charlotte City Council approval, get a county-wide referendum on the ballot for a penny sales tax increase that would ultimately bring commuter rail to Lake Norman. Background: The Red Line was promised when the existing […]
Aug. 27. By Dave Vieser. As expected, the Matthews Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in opposition to the proposed sales tax legislation for Mecklenburg County. The proceeds from the sales tax would help fund the cost of building the Red Line which would stop in Cornelius. “I am strongly opposed to the current […]
July 30. By Dave Yochum. The Red Line is gaining steam on two separate tracks: Charlotte City Council is expected to close on the Red Line in September and it appears likely NC legislators will allow Mecklenburg County to put a one-cent sales tax on the ballot in November of 2025 to help fund the […]
April 25. With Red Line discussions well under way, Cornelius appears ready to rejoin the regional Lake Norman Transportation Commission headed up by former Mooresville Mayor Bill Thunberg. “We plan to rejoin pending Town Board vote which I expect will pass,” said Mayor Woody Washam. “I am confident we will be stronger together as we […]