Lake Norman Light Rail Study To Continue

DAVIDSON, NC — A study into light rail options in Lake Norman will continue after a Wednesday night vote affirming the probe into potential alternative routes that don’t include an existing freight line leased by Norfolk Southern. Eight of the nine members of the Metropolitan Transit Commission voted to continue the study, which will also look for a potential route to connect the light rail system to the airport, according to reports.

Huntersville Mayor John Aneralla was the lone dissenting vote at the March 28 meeting. Aneralla, who has advocated using the existing freight line for the passenger service, said that the prospect of an alternate route — which could cost as much as $1 billion — would cause uncertainty for Lake Norman communities, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Norfolk Southern, which currently leases and maintains the freight line that connects the Lake Norman towns, refuses to share its tracks with passenger rail. “We should negotiate better with Norfolk Southern,” Aneralla said, the newspaper said.

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While the freight lines would be the most obvious solution in connecting Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, other mayors voted to continue the study. Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox said that while the college town did not have an alternative to the freight rail bed, he believed the study was “too far along” to not finish.

Charlotte Area Transit System has contracted WSP engineering consulting firm to complete the study, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Possible recommendations could include constructing a rail line along Interstate 77 or U.S. 21, the newspaper said.

Does Lake Norman need light rail? What do you think about the prospect of an alternative rail line for passenger service into Charlotte (and the associated cost to pay for it)? Sound off in the comment section!

Photo via Maggie Avants/Patch