North Carolina Budget Proposal Includes 10 Percent Cap on Light Rail Spending

While the $500,000 cap on light rail spending that was mysteriously placed in the state budget last year has been removed from this year’s spending proposal, it has been replaced by another cap.

The newly-agreed-to budget that was released late Monday includes a provision that caps state funding on light rail projects at 10 percent of the overall project cost.

The initial House budget proposal lifted the spending cap entirely, but the Senate included the 10 percent cap in its plan, which ultimately made its way into the final proposal.

That directly impacts the Durham – Orange Light Rail Project, which has a projected cost of $1.6 billion with 25 percent of that funding projected to come from the state.

While GoTriangle had been “optimistic” the cap would be removed, it’s unclear what its placement in the budget means for the overall viability of the 17-mile project that would connect Durham and Chapel Hill.

GoTriangle general manager Jeff Mann released the following statement on the cap:

“We are disappointed by the new, restrictive light rail and commuter rail provisions inserted this legislative session that compromise the integrity of the data-driven transportation funding law passed in 2013, and create new funding and delivery challenges for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project (DOLRT). The DOLRT project is critical transportation infrastructure that will move about 23-thousand people a day along a heavily congested 17-mile corridor, while creating thousands of new jobs and adding $175 Million in annual state and local tax revenue.

GoTriangle is currently evaluating all options and we will continue working with Durham and Orange County residents, our partners and the General Assembly to identify funding for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project. We appreciate the hard work of our many project supporters, who understand that the DOLRT project will better connect all neighborhoods in the corridor to education; healthcare, including the Veterans hospital; and jobs, including direct access to three of the state’s top ten employers.”

The two North Carolina Congressional representatives who serve the districts that would house the light rail line – Democrats David Price and G.K. Butterfield – released the following statement over the spending cap:

“We are deeply disappointed that the Republican General Assembly leadership is once again standing in the way improving and increasing transit options in the Triangle. The Triangle’s rapid growth increases demand on our region’s transportation infrastructure and has prompted residents of Durham and Orange Counties to vote in support of new transit alternatives that will make it easier to get to work, to school, or to hospitals and other health care facilities. By reneging on the state’s commitment to transit in the Triangle, the Republican General Assembly threatens to forgo billions in federal funding, undercuts the will of Triangle residents, and undermines the rigorous cost-benefit analysis that is the basis for the project. Once again our state’s Republican leaders are leaving North Carolinians worse off because of their narrow-minded political motivations.”

The budget proposal will be voted on in the House and Senate in the coming days before going to the governor’s desk.

‹

Orange County Sets Public Hearing for Updates to Transit Plan

Ten years ago, Orange County voters approved a new half-cent sales tax to go toward a variety of transit projects and long-term expansion of connectivity through the county. As part of the measure, the county government created a long-term Transit Plan to help guide elected officials and staff on how to use those funds. Now, […]

Supreme Court: NC Railroad Isn’t Subject to Open Records Law

The North Carolina Railroad Co., a nearly 175-year-old company now owned fully by the state, can withhold documents from the public because it isn’t subject to open records laws, the state Supreme Court has ruled. A majority of justices upheld on Friday a lower court ruling that involved a 2019 lawsuit filed by the Southern […]

Updates on Light Rail, and Public Input too

GoTriangle will host its last open house on November 19 to collect public comments on the light rail and highlight changes brought to the project so far. The event, originally scheduled for earlier this week, was delayed because of the issues surrounding the water main break. The location and time will remain 5 to 7 […]

NCDOT Hosting Public Input Session on NC 54 Improvements

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will host a public open house meeting on Tuesday, July 10, discussing the future of a major corridor between Chapel Hill and Durham. The session, which will be held at the Friday Center, will allow Chapel Hill and Durham residents to learn about the proposed construction NC DOT envisions […]

Orange County Cost Share of DOLRT Drops After Negotiation But Questions Remain

The first in a series of votes on whether the proposed Durham-Orange Light Rail line will move forward is scheduled for Monday night. Some Orange County Commissioners appear to be more comfortable with a renegotiated cost-sharing plan with Durham County regarding the project. “I need to thank our negotiators,” commissioner Mia Burroughs said at last […]

Orange County Facing April 30 Deadline for Light Rail Funding

After Orange County committed in December to consider spending an additional $40 million over a 10-year period on the Durham-Orange Light Rail project, the commissioners once again have a major decision to make. The Federal Transit Administration is looking for additional documentation to ensure the project can continue as planned. GoTriangle general manager Jeff Mann […]

Congressmen Advocate for Light Rail Progress

GoTriangle is continuing to work with local and state officials to make the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project a reality. The organization hosted a tour Monday of the project corridor for congressmen David Price and G.K. Butterfield, along with other local officials. The corridor included the added stop at North Carolina Central University. Butterfield said […]

Work Continuing on Durham-Orange County Light Rail Amid Budgetary Concerns

GoTriangle is continuing working with local universities, health care institutions, government and the private sector to continue its plans for a Light Rail that would potentially travel between Durham and Orange Counties – even while budgetary concerns remain due to a cap on light rail spending put in place by the General Assembly. After receiving […]

North Carolina Budget Proposal Includes 10 Percent Cap on Light Rail Spending

While the $500,000 cap on light rail spending that was mysteriously placed in the state budget last year has been removed from this year’s spending proposal, it has been replaced by another cap. The newly-agreed-to budget that was released late Monday includes a provision that caps state funding on light rail projects at 10 percent […]

›