CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte City Council is gearing up for a crucial vote on Tuesday that could pave the way for the city’s first commuter rail service, the Red Line. Over 15 years in the making, the project involves a $91 million purchase of existing Norfolk Southern tracks, known as the O-Line, to connect Uptown Charlotte with the northern suburbs, including Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson.
If approved, the plan would allocate $74 million to acquire 22 miles of the rail corridor, with an additional $17 million set aside to purchase land near the future Charlotte Gateway Station. This land would be used to build a new platform, which will be a central hub linking various transportation modes, including Amtrak, buses, and the Red Line.
To help fund the ambitious project, the city council will also consider a resolution supporting a one-cent sales tax increase. Pending approval by the North Carolina General Assembly, this proposal could appear on the November 2025 ballot. However, the proposal has already met opposition, particularly from the town of Matthews, which voted against the tax hike after the Silver Line train through east Charlotte was cut from the regional transit plan.
The Red Line is designed to ease traffic on I-77 and offer commuters a reliable, high-density mode of transportation. While the current plan ends the Red Line service in Davidson, there is potential for expansion to Mooresville, though this would require additional funding and support from local leaders.
The stakes are high, with a September 9 deadline for the purchase decision looming. Councilman Ed Driggs and other supporters argue that the Red Line would benefit the entire region by reducing road congestion and boosting the local economy at key stops along the route.
As the vote approaches, the community is watching closely, knowing that the outcome could shape the future of transportation in Charlotte for decades to come. If all approvals are met, the Red Line could become a cornerstone of the city’s evolving transit infrastructure, offering a new way for residents to navigate the growing metropolitan area.
