N.C. Durham-Orange light rail project plans reports, vote for April

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — GoTriangle officials said updated bus and light-rail investment plans should be available for Durham and Orange counties to review and approve before the Federal Transit Administration’s April 30 deadline, The News&Observer reports.

The boards of commissioners in each county also will vote in late April on updated agreements for implementing their respective plans and for sharing the local costs of a $2.5 billion Durham-Orange Light-Rail Transit system. The 17.7-mile light-rail line would run from UNC Hospitals to N.C. Central University.

The FTA told GoTriangle in a recent email that the counties must be committed to paying at least 30% of the project’s local cost, or $371.1 million, before the project can be approved for engineering work. GoTriangle’s Board of Trustees could approve a $70 million engineering contract once the FTA signs off. For the full story, click here.