Since before the turn of the century, Charlotte Area Transit System has dreamt big about a series of rail corridors: the Blue Line, the Red Line, the Silver Line and the Gold Line.

• But as time passed, and roadblocks kept developing, the Red Line has never come to fruition. It was given other names. One of them: “A pipe dream.”

Between the lines: The envisioned Red Line commuter train would connect Charlotte to Lake Norman towns. It would share Norfolk Southern’s tracks that run parallel to Interstate 77.

As of now, the Red Line has no estimated cost, no anticipated timeline and no agreement with Norfolk Southern. Yet, with millions in federal infrastructure money at stake, the conversation around the northbound line has recently taken a more optimistic turn.

What’s happening: Charlotte Area Transit System is committing $5 million toward “advancing” the Red Line, in hopes that one day the rail will carry passengers from the Charlotte Gateway District in Uptown through the downtowns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson. It would cross county lines into the town of Mooresville.

• City council will soon be asked to approve a contract for a consultant to do the work.

Details: The money will go toward updating the Red Line designs, taking into consideration changes to the corridor over the years. The process could take 18 months to two years, Jason Lawrence, the senior transportation planner for CATS, recently told the Metropolitan Transit Commission.

• The “advancement” also includes the public outreach and studying possible stations. Some officials have stressed a need for greater frequencies, which could raise the price of the project.
• Plus, CATS must engage in “continued coordination” with Norfolk Southern.

Driving the news: Charlotte wants to take advantage of what’s being called an “unprecedented” opportunity for federal funding: President Joe Biden’s $1.2-trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill.

• CATS is pushing forward several projects to the point at which they can compete for federal funding, including a $50 million study to advance the Silver Line, a 26-mile east-west light rail line.

Yes, but: The Red Line vision relies entirely on one day being able to use Norfolk Southern’s existing “O” line. In 2013, after design work for the rail was already underway, Norfolk Southern altered its policy to not allow passengers on its freight tracks. There is “no path forward” for the Red Line until the railroad company changes its position, according to CATS’ website.

What they’re saying: CATS confirmed Norfolk Southern’s policy stands. But a Norfolk Southern spokesperson said the railroad is open to working with Charlotte.

“Though this line remains a strategic part of our network, we have always valued our relationship with Charlotte and the surrounding communities. Wherever we can, we will continue to work with them on projects that intersect with our network and the needs of our customers,” the spokesperson said.

State of play: Norfolk Southern has fresh leadership after its CEO retired this spring.

• “There’s not a door open, but I think the window is cracked,” Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox says of the possibility of a Red Line.

Between the lines: Even with permission to access the “O” line, CATS still needs money for the project. It could not rely solely on the bipartisan bill, and Mecklenburg County voters may be asked to endorse a future countywide 1-cent sales tax hike.

• Knox indicates he and neighboring mayors were hesitant to support a tax increase, but with the recent financial commitment from CATS and the potential influx of federal money, they may feel differently.
• “This is a moment where the stars align,” he adds. “There’s not a better time to have this dialogue.”
• The line could provide a way for Lowe’s corporate headquarters in Mooresville to reach the company’s new tech hub in South End, or for Davidson College visitors to reach the airport, Knox says.

“I’m never going to quit my dialogue with the Red Line,” the mayor says. “I want to get on the train and ride to Charlotte, and I don’t want to sit in traffic in the general purpose lanes. I don’t want to continue to pay the fees that we pay for toll lanes. And I don’t want to have to go on secondary roads.”

Flashback: In 2007, when Mecklenburg County voted to retain a half-cent sales tax for transit, proceeds were supposed to go toward the Red Line. But with the commuter rail stalled, the transit investments kept going elsewhere, largely to Charlotte, Knox recalls. Since then, though, some funds have gone toward establishing bus rapid transit along I-77 to the north.

• Mecklenburg County commissioner and MTC chair Leigh Altman told Axios she’s also felt cooperation from the city of Charlotte improve over the last two years. She says Charlotte MOVES, the city’s recommendations for mobility investments released in 2020, should have been more inclusive of the rest of the county.
• “I think all of us are cautious,” Altman adds. “We want to be sure that we protect the taxpayers, and that the taxpayers get what they believe they’re investing in. But we all know that we have to move forward for our future and not just look to the past to embrace this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

The other side: Mooresville Mayor Miles Atkins suspects more studies may be a waste of money. “Norfolk Southern’s made it clear they’re not interested,” he tells Axios. “Maybe there’s something I don’t know. But until you hear them say, ‘Let’s make this happen,’ I think that we should spend more time focused on bus rapid transit.”

The big picture: The chance for federal dollars has revived enthusiasm about the Red Line, and the ticking clock is forcing local leaders to come together.

• The opportunity also comes as leaders grapple with the region’s rapid growth and development, Altman points out. “We need to preserve clean air and a quality of life that doesn’t have people sitting in traffic for hours.”