Voters in the Charlotte area voiced their support of public transit by rejecting an attempt to repeal funding for a new light rail project. The final vote was a decisive victory for transit with 70 percent voting to maintain funding. The victory is a huge boost for the city of Charlotte, which is now free to complete the entire LYNX rail project.
“A 21st century public transit system will ensure that Charlotte remains a great place to live and work in the face of rapid growth,” said NCPIRG Advocate Rob Thompson.
The first line of the project, the Blue line, which connects the southern metro area to downtown, opened last November. Even before its completion, investors poured $2 billion into high-density developments along the 9.6 mile rail line. In the years ahead, four additional lines will open, connecting suburban and urban areas across the metro area.
Once complete, Charlotte’s 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan will consist of 25 miles of commuter rail, 21 miles of light rail, 16 miles of streetcar, 14 miles of bus rapid transit and an expanded network of buses and other transit services.
