Charlotte wins $580M from feds for light-rail extension

Source: Charlotte Business Journal by Erik Spanberg, Senior Staff Writer

Original Post Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 2:33pm EDT

Hours before President Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney face each other in a debate, the Obama administration sent a $580 million check to the swing state of North Carolina. Peter Rogoff, head of the Federal Transit Administration, hailed the commitment to pay half the cost of the 9.3-mile light-rail extension during an appearance Tuesday in uptown Charlotte, calling the project a symbol of what the administration believes can re-energize the economy.

No matter the political implications, transit executives and several local elected leaders hailed the funding and imminent construction of the $1.2 billion line as a milestone in the city’s transportation network. The expansion, known as the Blue Line Extension, will link uptown with UNC Charlotte along North Tryon Street and connect to the existing 10-mile Lynx line from Pineville to the center city. Upon completion, the entire liane will span nearly 20 miles.

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