CATS to spend $1.5M to study rail line to airport

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) expects to spend up to $1.5 million on a consultant to determine how and where it should build a rail line to serve west Charlotte and the airport, The Charlotte Observer reports.

Ten years ago, in the 2030 transit plan, CATS had a general concept of building a streetcar along Wilkinson Boulevard toward Charlotte Douglas International Airport, but CATS CEO John Lewis wants a more detailed study to determine whether that’s the best option. He also wants to know how much it would cost.

Lewis and CATS are building a transit wish list of at least three new rail lines, whose total cost will likely exceed $2 billion. Besides the west corridor, other plans include a commuter rail line and a light rail line. For the full story, click here.