Bringing rapid and reliable commuter rail to the region
Through development of rapid commuter rail service, this project aims to connect the northern towns of Mecklenburg County and southern Iredell County to Uptown Charlotte
Imagine hopping on a train for a direct connection to Uptown, no traffic, no parking hassles. That’s the vision for the Red Line Commuter Rail. This investment in the North Corridor is building upon more than 15 years of planning. The commuter rail would bring a supplementary rapid-transit corridor to the region, helping move passengers and driving economic development.
The North Corridor has changed a lot since the original design in 2008. This project will update the design of the Red Line based on these changes, planned development and land use, input from the public and technical considerations. CATS is engaged in a collaborative planning effort between the railroads, towns, city and regional planning organizations to establish a shared vision for the corridor.
Project Description
The Red Line is a 25-mile commuter rail project using the existing Norfolk Southern rail line. The Red Line would provide a regional connection between Uptown Charlotte and the downtowns of Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, with potential to extend into Mt. Mourne in Mooresville.
Stations will function not only as park and rides but as integrated mobility hubs with bus services and first/last mile connections. Stations will also be incorporated into surrounding Transit-Oriented Developments.
The Red Line would provide a direct connection to the Charlotte Gateway Station and the surrounding entertainment district including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Knights, and Charlotte Football Club. The Gateway Station would also provide connection to the Gold Line Streetcar, Amtrak, and intercity and local bus services.
Scope
Benefits
- Provides a direct transit service between Uptown Charlotte and the town centers of Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, potentially extending to Mount Mourne.
- Supports traffic reduction along I-77.
- Drives economic development along the route.
- Creates connections to the Charlotte Gateway Station, including additional transit options and the surrounding entertainment district.
- Provides the opportunity for expansion into Iredell County serving key destinations like Lowes Headquarters.
- Allows commuters to comfortably work while traveling.
Background
The Red Line was first identified in 1998 in the 2025 Transit & Land Use Plan. In 2002, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) approved a major investment study in commuter rail along the I-77 north corridor. The initial design was completed in 2008.
In 2013, Norfolk Southern changed its Passenger Rail Policy. Under the new policy’s requirements, the Red Line was not feasible on Norfolk Southern’s “O-Line”, which is the single-track rail line that runs through Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mooresville.
In February 2019, the MTC approved a new Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the North Corridor. The LPA established a North Corridor public transportation strategy that included near-term Bus Rapid Transit on I-77 while continuing a long-term vision for the Red Line, future regional rapid transit and local mobility options. In September 2022, the MTC took action to amend the FY2023 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) to include funding to advance the Red Line Commuter Rail.
On July 25, 2023, the City of Charlotte received a letter from Norfolk Southern stating that the railroad was willing to consider a possible transaction of the O Line. Norfolk Southern and the City engaged in good faith discussions about whether a potential transaction was possible. On September 13, 2023, the Charlotte City Council approved the contract to advance the design of the Red Line.
Next Steps
The first phase of the Red Line Design Update will be completed by early 2025. It will focus on:
- Public involvement and stakeholder coordination
- Updating the previous design from 2008
- Assess the previously identified station locations
- Examining new options for a new vehicle maintenance facility
- Reevaluating vehicle technologies and frequency of service
- Analyzing new alignment options into Uptown Charlotte
- Providing an updated cost estimate
In March and April 2024, we conducted our first round of public meetings across four locations: Huntersville, Davidson, Charlotte and a virtual session. These meetings aimed to educate the public about the originally proposed Red Line, gauge public sentiment and gather input. Watch the Spring Virtual Red Line Public Meeting on the CATS YouTube channel.
In September 2024, CATS officially purchased the O-Line from Norfolk Southern, reinforcing our commitment to bringing this train service to Charlotte. During our second round of public meetings in September and October, we met in Huntersville (Pottstown), Cornelius and Charlotte (Camp North End). We presented updates on our 5% design progress and incorporated community feedback, which included a proposal for a new station at Camp North End and consideration of alternative station locations in Derita. The feedback we received will be incorporated into our 15% design update. We continued discussions about station placements, solicited feedback from property owners along the line and emphasized our goal of creating mobility hubs at each station. Watch the Fall Virtual Red Line Public Meeting on the CATS YouTube channel.
Materials from these meetings are available in the “Resources” sidebar. Sign up for project update emails via the Red Line - PublicInput website.
If you require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or translation services (free of charge), contact CATS Customer Service at 704.336.7433 prior to the meeting date for the following translations: Tiếng Việt, 中文, français, русский, ગુજરાતી, 한국어, िहनदी.