Charlotte leaders have ambitious plans for expanding light rail and other options throughout the region — but those plans could be derailed by the revised state budget now being considered.
A new subsection in the bill, entitled “Additional Requirement for High-Cost Projects,” notes light-rail projects are ineligible for state funds “until a written agreement is provided to the Department establishing that all non-State funding necessary to construct the project has been secured.”
However, federal law requires a commitment of 50% in state, local and other funds before the Federal Transit Administration can commit the other half of a large project’s financing.
The Triangle Business Journal notes the provision could negatively impact the planned $2.5 billion, 17.7-mile Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit project as well.
Cox Media Group
