Feds Give Charlotte $70 Million for Light Rail

[Panthro]

Well I can tell you from more experience than I care to admit that most students drive home after going out in uptown because a cab is like $27 each way.

i prefer they stay up there...just saying :D

[Paintballr]

I don't know why they don't do projects in upper Charlotte first before south Charlotte. Honestly how often do people get on the train from Pineville and ride to Charlotte, compared to the potential of university area, or he'll even if they made it how it was suppose to in the very beginning and go up to Davidson area. Much more customers that would pay compared to Pineville area.

[Niner National]

I don't know why they don't do projects in upper Charlotte first before south Charlotte. Honestly how often do people get on the train from Pineville and ride to Charlotte, compared to the potential of university area, or he'll even if they made it how it was suppose to in the very beginning and go up to Davidson area. Much more customers that would pay compared to Pineville area.

They did the line south first because railway right of way already existed through southend and down to Pineville. Since they did not have to purchase much ROW or reconfigure streets (except at Scaleybark for a quarter mile), it was significantly cheaper to build.

The line to UNC Charlotte will run up the median of N. Tryon for most of the way, so they're going to have to do a ton of road work too to make the thing work.

The leg up to UNC Charlotte was originally slated to be completed in 2013, but now it won't start construction until then and won't be finished until 2016 or 2017.

[Panthro]

I don't know why they don't do projects in upper Charlotte first before south Charlotte. Honestly how often do people get on the train from Pineville and ride to Charlotte, compared to the potential of university area, or he'll even if they made it how it was suppose to in the very beginning and go up to Davidson area. Much more customers that would pay compared to Pineville area.

its not about making money.

[Paintballr]

They did the line south first because railway right of way already existed through southend and down to Pineville. Since they did not have to purchase much ROW or reconfigure streets (except at Scaleybark for a quarter mile), it was significantly cheaper to build.

The line to UNC Charlotte will run up the median of N. Tryon for most of the way, so they're going to have to do a ton of road work too to make the thing work.

The leg up to UNC Charlotte was originally slated to be completed in 2013, but now it won't start construction until then and won't be finished until 2016 or 2017.

Sounds a lot like 485 and how it was suppose to be done now instead of being started, I bet we hear about how the south part of the rail needs repairs or something new before the north end even gets completed just like 485....

its not about making money.

even if it isn't the amount of traffic from north end that will be reduced and the amount of people that go uptown should be worth it.....

[cookinwithgas]

The difference between the center city from 10 years ago to now is absolutely staggering and part of it is the rail system that alllows people to come in and work/play while not having to worry about parking fees or car security.

And yes I am all for the college line because as was said, there's too many college kids drinking and driving.

We will need more security perhaps but that will be offset by the increased revenue and expansion of business.

[Cat]

This is the kind of stuff I want the gov't spending money on. Our infrastructure in America needs improvement.

Downtown to UNCC is sweet.

[bleys]

drunk train, here we come

only the cool kids know about that... :cool:

[Panthro]

id rather revitalize the independence corridor then waste money on north charlotte

[Niner National]

id rather revitalize the independence corridor then waste money on north charlotte

Independence is too far gone for hope.

Mass transit should be built in areas where it is easily accessible to where people live. Running it down the middle of an expressway does not accomplish this.

I could get on board with running it down 7th and Monroe Rd, but Independence is a lost cause.