CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte City Council has approved the purchase of the RedLine, a 25-mile commuter rail project that aims to connect the northern towns of Mecklenburg County and southern Iredell County to Uptown Charlotte.
The City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the six towns within Mecklenburg County (Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville) recently concluded meetings about the region’s mobility initiatives. The meeting resulted in a 10-1 vote to support draft legislation on a sales tax referendum to pay for transportation needs and spend $91 million to purchase railroad tracks from Norfolk Southern for the Red Line commuter rail project.
Why are investments to regional transportation infrastructure significant?
Part of guiding the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region’s continuous growth is managing traffic and congestion by expanding transportation (roads) and public transit (buses and rail). The City of Charlotte has a number of initiatives including CATS 2030 Transit Plan, the Charlotte 2040 Plan, the Strategic Energy Action Plan, Vision Zero and others that require additional transportation funding to be successful.
A one-cent sales tax would generate more than $19 billion and allow the region to potentially access nearly $6 billion in federal grants and other revenues to create a nearly $25 billion fund for roads, buses and rails. It would be the largest project in the history of North Carolina. Also, 30% of the sales tax would be paid by people who don’t live in Mecklenburg County (commuters and visitors/tourists).
(Charlotte Strategic Mobility Plan: What you need to know 2024)
What happens next?
The one-cent sales tax draft legislation will shared with the North Carolina General Assembly. If the General Assembly passes legislation in order to allow a county-wide referendum on the one-cent sales tax, Mecklenburg County would then put the referendum on the ballot for residents to vote.
How does this benefit the community?
Stations will function not only as park and rides but as integrated mobility hubs with bus services and first/last mile connections. Stations will also be incorporated into surrounding Transit-Oriented Developments.
The Red Line would provide a direct connection to the Charlotte Gateway Station and the surrounding entertainment district including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Knights, and Charlotte Football Club. The Gateway Station would also provide connection to the Silver Line Light Rail, the Gold Line Streetcar, Amtrak, and intercity and local bus services.
Other benefits
- Provides a direct transit service between Uptown Charlotte and the town centers of Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, extending to Mount Mourne.
- Supports traffic reduction along I-77.
- Drives economic development along the route.
- Creates connections to the Charlotte Gateway Station, including additional transit options and the surrounding entertainment district.
- Provides the opportunity for expansion into Iredell County serving key destinations like Lowes Headquarters.
- Allows commuters to comfortably work while traveling.
