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.
NS opposition to this made no sense whatsoever. All that runs on that line is one small local and Amtrak’s Carolinian turns on the Y that dissects Graham and Atando streets. The days of turning the Carolinian there are numbered. It’s a 10 mph railroad and would require a complete rebuild. I’m sure CATS would either try and double track it or alternate single and double track sections.
Question is which way the line would run. The O line dead ends under I-277 near the CSX main. If the line were to run that way a lot of work would need to be done. But a shorter route. Currently trains come off the NS main at AT&O then head up the hill to the Y and onto the O line.
Anyone who frequently travels through Charlotte can attest that they can’t build enough lanes for the traffic on I-77.
I would hope that the project’s advocates have some detail in mind — how many trains on what schedule serving how many proposal riders. So far $669 Million (674+5) is planned to be spent before the first wheel turns. For what?