Photo: Kaique Rocha/Pexels

Aug. 28. By Dave Yochum. Charlotte plans to buy 22 miles of Norfolk Southern’s O-Line for $74 million and, pending Charlotte City Council approval, get a county-wide referendum on the ballot for a penny sales tax increase that would ultimately bring commuter rail to Lake Norman.

Background: The Red Line was promised when the existing half-cent sales tax was passed 25+ years ago, but it never happened, in part due to Norfolk Southern’s refusal to share the O-Line which runs more or less along Hwy. 115..

With that as background the Lake Norman Chamber Board of Directors has voted to support the referendum which give citizens the right to vote up or down on the penny sales tax increase which would also fund $21 million in North Meck road improvements, according to Charlotte officials.

But until governing legislation impacting the future of the Redline is finalized, the chamber board would not take a position on the Red Line or the transit tax increase.

The current issue is only about having a referendum. Even if it were to pass, the Red Line would still be 10 years out.

Questions raised

Separately, Jeff Tarte, the chamber chair and a former mayor of Cornelius as well as NC Senator, shared 54 questions about the Red Line he would like to see answered. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. What are the agreed upon end points of the Redline with Norfolk Southern?

Jeff Tarte at a Newsmakers Breakfast

2. What is the date of the last appraisal for the land and rail track comprising the Redline?
3. What was the value stated in that appraisal?
4. If there is no appraisal, how was the value and price for the rail line determined?
5. What was the date of the last bids let and proposals received to install the Redline?
6. When were the last detailed costed estimates and budget prepared for the Redline?
7. Who will hold the contract and obligations for the purchase of the O-line?
8. Who will own the property rights for the entire Redline corridor? Are there multiple owners?
9. Will the owners have mineral rights and air rights?
10. Any unique terms, provisions or riders in the Norfolk Southern contract?
11. What are the default and termination provisions within the contract with Norfolk Southern and
any lenders?
12. Do RR easements and associated rules transfer with purchase?
13. Who will hold the contract and obligations for the cost of the implementation of the Redline?
14. Are funds being borrowed for Redline purchase? How much, where and rate?
15. What are all the sources and instruments considered for funding the purchase of the Redline?
16. Is TIFIA financing a consideration? Is there a P3 option available?
17. Are there funding options no longer available since the last estimate?
18. What is the date and are there copies available of the last detailed comparative analysis of
alternative power sources for the Redline?
19. What will diesel engines do to Charlotte’s Mecklenburg County’s ability to meet their carbon
footprint goals?
20. What are CO2 projections along Redline?
21. Will the Redline, if diesel engines, impact area air quality measures?
22. What are the total amount of monies anticipated to be raised by the additional sales tax?
23. When is the Redline scheduled/estimated to begin installation?
24. What is the soonest and latest the Redline is expected to be operational?
25. What is the total amount collected from the Lake Norman communities for the half cent transit
tax increase since 1999?
26. Has that money been escrowed, reserved or was it placed in general funds and used?
27. Why are we collecting tax before a cost is incurred?
28. Is so, will we accrue the monies and at what interest rate?
29. Does the Redline qualify for federal funding?
30. If so, dollar amount and percentage of the total project cost.
31. What are the requirements for the Redline to qualify for federal funding? Terms?
32. What are the current ridership percentages for the Blueline?
33. How is the Blueline ridership doing against original estimates and current projections?
34. What are the estimated/projected ridership volumes and percentages for the Redline?
35. What percent of the operating cost will be covered by ridership fees?
36. What percentage of operating cost will be required to be covered by subsidies?
37. Where will the funds for these subsidies originate? Approval process?
38. What businesses are currently within 100 yards of each proposed transit stop?
39. What are the dates of the last TOD design around each transit stop?
40. How did TOD development around each Blueline stop do against projections?
41. Can you verify in the toll lane contract with Centra that the Redline has no material or financial
restrictions if the Redline is installed? Can we refence page and line numbers in the contract?
42. What is the traffic impact from the Redline at each major street crossing. For example, how does
the train impact traffic flow at Sam Furr Road? Options to minimize impact?
43. What is the estimated cost and duration for construction to go over (bridge) or under (tunnel) a
road crossing?
44. How does the Redline impact traffic egress and ingress at area schools? For example, what would
be the impact for Bailey middle school and Hough High school at the Bailey Road crossing when
buses and parents are taking kids to and picking up from school?
45. Where is the transfer point between the Redline and Blueline?
46. What will be the walking distance to change trains and is the path covered?
47. How many parking spaces are available within 100 yards for each transit stop along the Redline?
48. What is the farthest distance anticipated from a parking lot to each transit stops on the Redline?
49. What will be the maximum walking distance from parking lot to transit stop? Ride time including
wait for transfer bus?
50. How many feet from Charlotte Douglas International Airport will be the terminus of a rail transit
line?
51. Have we reviewed and confirmed that the planned transit stops for the Redline are still valid? If
so, what was the date of the last analysis and review?
52. What is the distance from each Redline transit stop to the top 3 closest population centers?
53.What is the cost and how much time (best estimates) does it take to go from a home in Magnolia
Estates in Cornelius to each of the following locations:
A) BOA Tower at Trade and Tryon
B) Panthers Stadium
C) Presbyterian Hospital
By:
A) Car (GP and toll lanes)
B) Train
C) Uber/Lyft
Where do I park and cost:
A) car
B) train
What time do I leave to be at location at:
A) 8:00 am during week
B) 1:00 pm on Sunday
C) 11:00 pm any day of week
54. Is Charlotte/Mecklenburg County willing to revoke the sales tax and remit all monies collected to
date to the LKN municipalities if the Redline is not installed by a certain date?