MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — There's renewed hope for the Red Line, the proposed commuter train that would connect Uptown Charlotte to northern Mecklenburg and southern Iredell counties.
The Red Line plan is more than 20 years in the making, leaving many people frustrated that the project's development isn't as rapid as the transportation it would provide. Starting Wednesday, CATS will host public meetings to gather public input and to share more insight on the project.
The goal of these meetings is to give residents the opportunity to give feedback about what they want, or don't want, with the Red Line. CATS officials will also give updates on the status of the project.
Regardless, town leaders say a resolution is needed.
“I kind of joke that I hope that I can use the Red Line before I have a walker,” Huntersville Mayor Christy Clark said.
The proposed project would have 10 stations where people could park and ride. The 25-mile track would run through the future Charlotte Gateway Station in Uptown, as well as Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mooresville.
Clark said the project is not falling off track.
“There is movement forward, and I am hopeful for the first time,” Clark said. “I know this is the farthest we have come with Norfolk Southern.”
Norfolk Southern owns the tracks and would need to jump on board for the commuter train to actually happen. The company has shared its willingness to work with Charlotte and surrounding communities over the past year. That was initially viewed as the biggest hurdle to making the Red Line a reality.
The Red Line is expected to help ease traffic congestion along Interstate 77, allowing people who drive into Charlotte for work a more comfortable option than sitting in traffic. Supporters of the plan also say it would drive economic development along the route.
“It would encourage developers and businesses to establish here,” Clark said. “The more we revitalize this downtown, the more people we will have living around here and the better those businesses would do here.”
Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney agrees there are pros to the project.
“You’d love a way for someone to get into Charlotte without having to get on 77," Carney said. “I would love to go to dinner and a ball game, those are all awesome ideas.”
Carney added that there are also cons, saying certain things that come with the Red Line might not be good for Mooresville. Of those concerns, Carney pointed out the possibility of more apartment development and even more traffic on the town's secondary roads as people drive into Mooresville to catch a ride into Charlotte.
Carney wishes town leaders were a bigger part of the conversations surrounding the project so they could be up to speed on how it will pan out.
“Is there really funding associated with this? Is there a timeline that we are talking about? Is it 30 years out? Is it 10 years out?” Carney questioned. “Plus, the commuter rail, it’s a 150-year-old technology. So it will be interesting to see if that really gives us what we need or if we need to look at other options that would be better.”
Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox wasn't available for an interview but issued the following statement to WCNC Charlotte:
“Finding a resolution to the Red Line issue in north Mecklenburg is crucial to the effectiveness of the larger transit plan. Until we learn more and have a tangible agreement from Norfolk Southern, we’ll remain hopeful.”
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued the following statement:
“For the past two decades, the Red Line has been a key part of the transit vision adopted by City Council and the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC). The city has been following through on what has been contemplated for more than 20 years as rail for Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville and north Mecklenburg has always been an important part of our region’s transit vision. The city is continuing its discussions with Norfolk Southern regarding access to the rail corridor which would be used for the Red Line.”
There are in-person and virtual meetings within the next two weeks. The public will also get more info on a timeline and proposed station locations.
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will host four public meetings with opportunities to learn about the Red Line commuter rail.
Virtual Public Meeting:
- Wednesday, April 10 from 6 – 8 p.m.
- Watch on CATS YouTube
In-Person Meetings:
Davidson, Mooresville & Cornelius
- Tuesday, April 16 from 6 – 8 p.m.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library - Davidson Branch
- 119 South Main St., Davidson, NC 28036
Huntersville, Davidson and Cornelius
- Thursday, April 18 from 6 – 8 p.m.
- North County Regional Library
- 16500 Holly Crest Ln., Huntersville, NC 28078
Charlotte
- Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. - Noon
- Sugar Creek Library
- 4045 N. Tryon St. Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28206
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.