Easier Commuting into Uptown from North Charlotte via Light Rail..YES PLEASE!

If you live in Charlotte NC or the surrounding area, you can empathize with me that sitting in I-77 traffic is not fun! A plan was unveiled in December 2011 to have a rail system that would run from Charlotte NC to Mooresville NC and make stops in Huntersville NC and Cornelius NC.This is a map to show you the distance from Charlotte NC to Mooresville NC , not to show where the light rail will be going in.

The light rail will have a lot of perks for the North Charlotte area. The potential to build the light rail will spur on about 23,000 jobs and did I mention as easier commute to Uptown Charlotte and freeing up some traffic on I-77.

I know some peoples first thoughts on this matter who live in North Charlotte is, what will this cost and how will the cost affect me ?

The cost for the project is about $452 million, 1/2 the cost will be paid for by the state and by CATS. The other 1/2 would be funded by what is called “value capturing.” Basically this means the income producing restaurants, shops, businesses who would have a positive affect by being close to the rail system would pay this special assessment for the boost in business. Home owners WOULD NOT see an increase in property taxes with the light rail endeavor.

The plan for the rail way system still needs to be approved by the communities where it will go through. If the projected is approved and funded then the construction would begin in 2014 and hopefully completed by 2017. I am a resident in the Lake Norman Area and I know I would love to jump on the light rail and head into Uptown without having to worry about traffic and driving. Think about all those parking fees you can avoid when you go to your Panthers games!