CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Norfolk Southern has revived hopes for a long-stalled commuter rail line between Charlotte and communities in the Lake Norman area by indicating its willingness to “consider … a possible transaction” over the NS line that would be a necessary part of the route north of the city — a change from the railroad’s longstanding opposition to the project.
WCNC-TV reports NS told the city it was willing to discuss the future of the “O Line” in a July letter, and that talks between the city and railroad are ongoing. Those talks are non-binding, and the letter indicates NS has not decided whether it would look to sell or lease the line. The Charlotte Ledger originally reported the existence of the letter from Michael McClellan, NS senior vice president and chief strategy officer.
The commuter rail proposal dates to the 1990s; the most recent version of the Red Line project, as outlined in a 2021 version of an overall transit plan, called for a 25-mile, 10-station route that would cost $674 million to build [see “Cost rises for Charlotte transit plan,” Trains News Wire, June 30, 2021]. But NS’ previous opposition has kept the proposal from moving forward.
A city representative told the station that the city is “cautiously optimistic” the parties can reach an agreement. Last month, before the letter became public, the city agreed to spend $5 million to update existing Red Line design and engineering work, and city council member Ed Driggs told WCNC that the city now is aiming for a November 2024 ballot initiative for a sales tax that could fund this and other projects.
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