CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte’s city council has approved financing to purchase 22 miles of a Norfolk Southern rail line for a proposed commuter rail operation.
WCNC-TV reports the council unanimously approved a plan not to exceed $93 million to finance purchase of the NS O-Line from Charlotte to Davidson, north of the city, along with land for a downtown station site. The council approved the purchase itself in September for the long-discussed Red Line commuter rail project [see “Charlotte council approves …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 3, 2024].
The financing plan reimburses the city for the purchases approved in September. Next steps include submitting paperwork to the North Carolina Local Government Commission for approval and a Feb. 24 public hearing on the financing plan.
The city will also seek a 1-cent sales tax increase to pay for the rail project and other elements of a transportation plan. That must be approved by the state assembly before being presented to voters in November.
— Updated at 5:40 p.m. to correct links.
