Officials in Charlotte have signed a deal with the Federal Transit Administration that commits the federal government to pay for half of the construction costs for a $1.16 billion light-rail extension. The contract, known as a Full Funding Grant Agreement, means the FTA will spend $580 million on the line. The city of Charlotte and the Charlotte Area Transit System will spend $250 million and the N.C. Department of Transportation will spend $299 million. FTA administrator Peter Rogoff said Charlotte’s existing line is “blowing the roof off of ridership.” The new, 9.2-mile extension could open in 2017. It will connect downtown to UNC-Charlotte, adding 11 new stations. Four stations will have park-and-ride lots. Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2013.
(THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER)
(10/16/12)
