Report: Charlotte to spend $91M to acquire track, land for commuter-rail project

The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, is planning to spend $91 million to purchase from Norfolk Southern Railway tracks and land for the city's proposed Red Line commuter-rail project, according to an article in the Charlotte Observer.

The city would spend $74 million to acquire 22 miles of the NS O Line and an additional $17 million for 1.6 acres along Graham Street near the Gateway Station, according to a Monday presentation to Charlotte City Council, the newspaper reported.

Negotiations between the city and NS began in 2023.

The Charlotte City Council is expected to vote Sept. 3 on the purchase and related proposed state legislation creating a 1-cent sales tax increase to pay for the projects. The city would own the corridor until a transit authority is created.