DAVIDSON, N.C. — After decades of fizzled plans about a commuter train connecting Lake Norman to Uptown Charlotte, Davidson residents finally got an opportunity on Tuesday to give feedback about the proposed Red Line.
Charlotte Area Transit System held its first in-person public meeting on the redesign in Davidson. The meeting took place in downtown Davidson, where the town's rail station would be located. If approved, the Red Line would also have stops in Mooresville, Cornelius and Huntersville.
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"There’s so much traffic now with the influx of people moving to the area," Tracie Mattison Brandon said.
That's why Charlotte area leaders are pushing to create a passenger rail line that would run from Mooresville to Uptown's future Gateway Station. The tracks for the planned line already exist and are owned by Norfolk Southern. The line is active in other parts of Mecklenburg County, but not in Davidson. However, the company has not officially signed off on letting CATS use it. Charlotte leaders say they're currently in negotiations with the company.
"I’m just excited about the possibility," Mattison Brandon said.
There are some concerns, though. The tracks run close to some neighborhoods, which could be a noise concern for Davidson residents.
Talks of a potential Red Line have been in the works for decades. The original Red Line design was created in 2008, so it now needs updating. Last September, Charlotte leaders agreed to pay a contractor $5 million to update the design to account for growth and change in the area.
"There’s been so much growth in this part of the county that a lot of the original designs, like where the stations were planned, have changed," Brian Nadolny, senior project manager for the Red Line, explained.
Before the Red Line can become a reality, it still needs approval to use the Norfolk Southern line and key funding sources. Charlotte city leaders have said a one-cent sales tax hike is required to pay for the project, among other transit goals.
Voters would ultimately be the ones to decide on whether to allow a sales tax increase, but Charlotte leaders first need approval from the state legislature to put the referendum on the ballot. State legislative leaders have previously said they would rather Charlotte focus on improving roads than public transit.
Many in Davidson are holding onto hope that the Red Line will one day get the green light.
"People have been waiting for years," Mattison Brandon said.
CATS is accepting written comments via email at RedLine@publicinput.com. People can also call 855-925-2801 (Project Code 1752) or mail a letter to Charlotte Area Transit System C/O Mr. Brian Nadolny, 600 E. 4th St., 14th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202.
There will be two more in-person public meetings on the Red Line redesign this week:
Huntersville, Davidson and Cornelius
- Thursday, April 18 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- North County Regional Library
- 16500 Holly Crest Ln., Huntersville, NC 28078
Charlotte
- Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to noon
- Sugar Creek Library
- 4045 N. Tryon St. Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28206
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.