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There is little the local governments can do for transit if Raleigh doesn't permit us to do anything.
MTC is looking at public-private partnerships to build infrastructure as the only alternative. Not only are the Feds not handing out as much money, but the state is hostile to mass transit.
If in not mistaken, the legislators basically made some sort of deal that Raleigh could raise some local tax in exchange they dont pursue light rail with it or something. Though I could be wrong as I don't follow local politics of other cities much
Seems to me like the general consensus of this thread is... the local government just can't get it together. Sad, disappointing, and when you look at the traffic all over, such as on 77... infuriating.
Financing and approval for mass transit and interstate highways falls on the State government more so than the local governments. Charlotte/Mecklenburg has little control over what NCDOT does in regard to I-77.
Financing and approval for mass transit and interstate highways falls on the State government more so than the local governments. Charlotte/Mecklenburg has little control over what NCDOT does in regard to I-77.
What control does the state have over mass transit, such as light rail for example?
Yes. The state is paying 25% of the cost, Charlotte/Mecklenburg 25%, and the rest is from the Feds.
But Charlotte is free to fund it without state involvement, no? In other words, the state can't tell Charlotte it can't develop a comprehensive mass transit system.
But Charlotte is free to fund it without state involvement, no? In other words, the state can't tell Charlotte it can't develop a comprehensive mass transit system.
They still wouldn't be allowed to build it without NCDOT approval even if they somehow could fully fund it through CATS. They could do the studies, plan the route and all of that stuff but final approval for public transit projects like the light rail in NC have to go through the NCDOT and the NC Board of Transportation. Even still, such a project would never be able to be built using only local funds.
But Charlotte is free to fund it without state involvement, no? In other words, the state can't tell Charlotte it can't develop a comprehensive mass transit system.
Um, yes, they actually can by capping our taxes, by threatening us and other means
Yes. The state is paying 25% of the cost, Charlotte/Mecklenburg 25%, and the rest is from the Feds.
The NCDOT, because of this, is also a voting member of the MTC.
The NCDOT's policy on funding local rail transit, is they will only do so if the Feds grant a FFGA supported by the required transit studies. The Lynx Red line failed the cost effectiveness test even though they ran numerous different scenarios through the simulations.
The issue is the ~120 or so grade crossings between the center city and Mooresville. Some of these are single home driveways. Every single on these crossings would have to be either eliminated or upgraded to the safety standards required by the FTA for passenger travel. Since the Red Line would normally operate at 70mph, the FTA won't relax these rules. If the crossing is eliminated, then an alternative has to be provided by the state. Given this cost, they can't justify building the train.
They still wouldn't be allowed to build it without NCDOT approval even if they somehow could fully fund it through CATS. They could do the studies, plan the route and all of that stuff but final approval for public transit projects like the light rail in NC have to go through the NCDOT and the NC Board of Transportation. Even still, such a project would never be able to be built using only local funds.
I really doubt DOT would prevent Charlotte from building a portion of its mass transit system, if no state funding was involved.
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