LightRail Innovation
Charloteans met on Wednesday night to discuss the light rail extensions to UNC Charlotte and Davidson. The light rail to UNC Charlotte is coming in at almost 1 billion from North Tryon to south of I-485. The reason for some of the cost increase is the increase in ridership based on the success of the current trains. 3 of the top budget increases are: longer trains (3 cars), longer platforms for the longer trains, and Power. The numbers predicting ridership from the Concord and Kannapolis crowd dictate a need for 3 cars per train, the original estimate only had 2 cars per train, and the longer train means the platforms need to be longer to meet the train. Each one of those adds extra dollars. (aren’t we impressed they think of this now and not 2 weeks before the opening)
If the light rail extends up to the I-485 border and then Cabarrus County can extend it up to Concord Mills, The Speedway, and Research Park we are changing our entire region. We open our region up to be Innovation Leaders. We are connecting some of the most important elements, arts, students, shopping, and education. The innovation that we are inviting and allowing could change this regions economic footprint. We are giving all of our resident a way to connect. Is the Light Rail up 77 North Important, Yes, it is. It will releave serious congestion and offer some commuters the ability to take the train and work, read, listen to their Ipod, or do the crosswords. Yes. Will it help create a small 24 hour city in Uptown Charlotte, Yes again. All of this leads to a better Piedmont region, a better economy, jobs, companies, etc. We are helping plan our city with these light rails. No one wants Charlotte to be an Atlanta so let’s mold it while we have time.
The choices on the light rail can not be an either or, it has to be both. We need the innovation, we need to change the economic footprint of the region and give the Piedmont the chance to commute, walk, clean up our air, and give people another reason to stay, live, play and work here. The Piedmont leads the nation in Small Business Development the Light Rail is another way we can lead the way.
