Carroll Gray
Lake Norman Transportation Commission Executive Director Carroll Gray told the Cornelius Town Board Monday night a financial plan should be completed by year’s end for the Red Line, the proposed 25-mile commuter rail line from Charlotte to Mooresville. If adopted by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, “then the question will be how soon can it be started,” he said.
“This is far more than just moving people,” Mr. Gray said. “I can’t think of anything better we can do for the future economic development of our towns and the city.”
Mr. Gray also briefed the board on the LNTC’s plans for this coming year. They include:
- Lobbying for I-77 enhancements, including the widening of the highway and the addition of an High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane.
- Supporting the Red Line plans
- Continued work on defining the Lake Norman identity
- Advocating for a new north/south parkway or other artery as an alternative to I-77
- Evaluating and assessing the existing east/west access roads
- Defining transit benefits districts, which will run from uptown Charlotte to Mooresville
- Enhancing CATS’ Village Rider local buses.
- Determining the transit impacts on town budgets
- Generating public and private support of the transit financial plan
- Monitoring local and statewide transportation systems
- Informing towns about vital transportation issues
SUPPORT FOR I-77 WIDENING?
Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation is reviewing the proposal for high-occupancy toll lanes and I-77 widening. In his weekly newsletter to constituents last week, Mayor Jeff Tarte called for citizens to contact NC DOT official Barry Moose to express support for the I-77 widening. He wrote:
Here’s the text of his pitch, from the April 26 newsletter:
Dear Residents, Friends and Neighbors,
Widening I-77 has always been a top priority of the Town for several years. With your input, that widening may become a reality sooner than later.
The North Carolina Dept. of Transportation (NC DOT) has always recognized the importance of I-77 to our region and that it is in need of significant relief. However, funding a widening project from I-485 to I-40 has been projected in excess of $200 million, leaving NC DOT with no other option than to push this project out 20 years. Fortunately, with some creative thinking from the Secretary of Transportation’s office and NC DOT’s division office in Albemarle, along with some healthy encouragement from local officials, we are all very close to seeing a third lane on I-77.
The proposed plan is to continue the managed lanes from I-485 north to our very own Exit 28. The existing HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes will be converted to HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes. HOT lanes work exactly like the existing HOV lanes (multiple occupant vehicles will still be able to ride in the managed lane for free), with one important exception: a single-occupant vehicle can ride in the managed lane by paying a toll. Currently, single-occupant vehicles do not have the option of riding in the HOV lanes.
Why a managed lane instead of another general purpose lane? While conventional wisdom prefers the latter, the revenues generated by the HOT lane will help pay for the project, considerably accelerating the addition of another lane on I-77. Also, studies show that there are both short and long-term benefits from a managed lane.
What can you do to help? Road funds are very limited, and every community has transportation needs. NC DOT has heard from your local officials, but they need to hear how important this project is to you! Let them know how you feel about the current I-77 situation and what the widening would mean to you. Please take the time to e-mail Barry Moose, Division Engineer, NC DOT, Albemarle Office at bmoose@ncdot.gov.
