The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) would like to add an ambitious, expensive project to its capital investment plans, but funding the project is more daunting than the last time the system expanded.
"Charlotte City Council is expected to decide Monday whether to take the first step toward the region’s largest infrastructure project, a 26-mile light rail line running from Matthews to Belmont in Gaston County," reports Bruce Henderson.
"The council’s approval of a $50 million contract to start preliminary work on the Silver Line would merely dip a toe in deep water," adds Henderson. The project, when complete, is estimated to reach a cost of $6 billion to $8 billion, with a completion date of 2030.
According to Henderson, the current state of federal politics makes funding for public transit a much more challenging proposition, further complicating the prospects for the project.
"[Charlotte Area Transit System Chief Executive Ron] Tober expects CATS will get federal and state grants to cover 40% to 50% of the Silver Line’s costs," according to Henderson. "But CATS also has new options to raise local financing, he added, including some that didn’t exist two decades ago," like a new half-cent sales tax, tax increment financing, regional partnerships, and public-private partnerships.
FULL STORY: A ‘daunting’ billion-dollar puzzle. New Charlotte light rail funding faces debate.
Charlotte Transit Agency Calls for New Sales Tax To Improve Service
The agency's CEO says the system needs more funding to make service improvements and make the shift to an electrified fleet.
Scrutiny for Charlotte Silver Line Light Rail Plan
Cost and economic development considerations supersede mobility considerations in the planning for Charlotte's planned light rail line.
Sound Transit's Lynwood Link Gets the Federal Funding it Was Waiting For
A great sigh of relief from transit planners in the Pacific Northwest (and probably the rest of the country as well).
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.
New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.
Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service