CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte transit leaders are expected to hear from taxpayers about the Red Line commuter rail that would connect Uptown to Lake Norman.
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has held several public meetings since Sept. 30 to present the updated design and answer questions from residents. The final two meetings are set for Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 10, in Huntersville. Both meetings will be streamed on the CATS YouTube channel for those who can't attend.
Charlotte city leaders approved the purchase of the tracks from Norfolk Southern at the beginning of September. They also approved a 1-cent sales tax that's necessary to fund the project. The proposed tax increase still requires approval from the North Carolina General Assembly and would end up on the November 2025 ballot if approved.
The 22-mile stretch of tracks comes with a $74 million price tag. Currently, the Red Line would extend to Davidson in northern Mecklenburg County. Future stops in Mount Mourne and Mooresville in southern Iredell County could be added later.
The Red Line project has a total price of $91 million, which includes $17 million for 1.6 acres of land along Graham Street for the Charlotte Gateway Station. With Mecklenburg County leaders signing off, the sales tax increase is now in the hands of state lawmakers.
Tuesday's virtual meeting is at 5:30 p.m. on the CATS YouTube page.
Thursday’s meeting is in person from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the David B. Waymer Recreation Center in Huntersville (14008 Holbrooks Road).
Contact Destiny Richards at drichards5@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.