Future rail service looking very positive. (Charlotte, Statesville: sales, cost, train)

[Stella Artois]

It looks as if both the blue and red lines are going to get funding and start in the near future. I am curious about something and maybe someone has some actual information or knowledge. If they start the red line, will rail service start before the whole project is complete, or will the trains go to the stops that are complete in the interim before the whole project is finished? This is very exciting news.

[Stripes17]

I can only hope the leaders of Iredell County stand firm and don't fall victim to this Red Line sales pitch.

Iredell leaders skeptical about Mooresville-to-Charlotte train | Statesville Record & Landmark

There's no way $452M should be spent to benefit so few during limited hours of the day.

That money would be better spent widening I-77 from Exit 23 to Iredell County so that many more people can benefit from the investment. It's reported in the same article that widening I-77 would cost about $400-600M.

The wants of a few should never outweigh the needs of the many!

[clevelandguy811]

Originally Posted by Stripes17

I can only hope the leaders of Iredell County stand firm and don't fall victim to this Red Line sales pitch.

Iredell leaders skeptical about Mooresville-to-Charlotte train | Statesville Record & Landmark

There's no way $452M should be spent to benefit so few during limited hours of the day.

That money would be better spent widening I-77 from Exit 23 to Iredell County so that many more people can benefit from the investment. It's reported in the same article that widening I-77 would cost about $400-600M.

The wants of a few should never outweigh the needs of the many!

Isn't that already in the plan to expand 77 and the funds being used for the red line would come from rail specific money from the federal government?

That area is particularly bad, normally I'm not an advocate of wider roads because several studies I've stumbled upon make convincing cases that long term the extra lanes do little to reduce congestion. But I see (and am in) the stop and go every day and there has to be something that can be done to relieve that.

[clevelandguy811]

Ah should have read the link before I commented! I thought Lynx and Red Line were both able to get federal funding but I guess that's just the blue line extension.

[swampfoxer]

Every time I go visit my Dad in Boca Raton, I love seeing the Tri-Rail commuter trains that run along I-95, from Miami to West Palm Beach. It reminds me of what the Red Line will possibly be like when it's done.

[Gumbo]

I can't wait until the blue line extends to NoDa. I'm in Ballantyne but will utilize that area more frequently for concerts when the rail extends to it.