Carolina’s Research Triangle planners eye LRT
Written by Douglas John BowenLight rail transit's success in Charlotte, N.C., is being eyed as a model for LRT in the Tar Heel State's Research Triangle, encompassing Wake, Durham, and Orange counties.
Planners are advancing a 30-mile LRT system, beginning with a line linking UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, N.C., and running to North Carolina Central University, Durham, N.C., spanning Orange and Durham counties. The Durham-Chapel HIll-Carroboro metropolitan planning organization selected a locally preferred alternative, the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project, on Feb. 8.
Additions including Wake County would be made later. “Wake is moving right along. They’ve got more options to consider, so they’re still weighing options,” said Damien Graham, a spokesman for the Triangle Regional Transit Program.
Durham, N.C., already has passed a half-cent sales tax increase to pay for its portion of the project, estimated to cost $1.4 billion. Orange and Wake counties have yet to hold their referendum to pay for the local portion. Construction could begin as early as 2020, with revenue service envisioned by 2025.
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) opened its 9.6-mile LYNX Blue Line light rail transit line (photo above) for revenue service on Nov. 24, 2007.
