Citizens from both sides shared their opinions at the Durham Orange Light Rail public hearing Tuesday evening.

If passed, the light rail train would run across the 17 mile stretch from UNC Hospital to Alston Avenue in Durham.

“Why do I know Chapel Hill supports the light rail,” Chapel Hill Town Councilwoman Maria Palmer said. “Because we voted to raise our sales tax to finance it. People don’t vote lightly to raise their own taxes.”

In 2012 Orange County voted to increase the sales tax by a half-cent in order to help fund the project.

According to GoTriangle, the building cost is estimated at 1.8 billion dollars and will open in 2025.

“I just think the whole thing is ridiculous,” resident Tom Bond said. “I just think we should be looking at some sort of alternative. I don’t think this is going to fly unless people get taxed a lot more.”

Lawmakers are attempting to find a solution to fix the anticipated traffic problem that will result from an expected population increase in Chapel Hill.

“To help the environment, to help the community, we have to get cars off the road,” resident Daniel Cole said. “Light rail is what does this.”

It is also expected to be beneficial for the environment.

Ramona McGee from the Southern Environmental Law Center, a local nonprofit, said the center supports the project because of these environmental benefits.

“We see this project generating many benefits, including to the environment and community health,” she said. “The environmental benefits of light rail are well established. By reducing the number of cars on the road the system will help improve air quality and reduce emissions of climate changing greenhouse gases.”

Those who said they opposed the light rail, cited the high cost, inconvenience to the surrounding neighborhoods and the location of the light rail.

Sherry Hardman said she opposed the light rail in part because it does not connect to some major locations in the area.

“A lot of people think it connects the airport,” she said. “It doesn’t. Southpoint Mall, Wake County, no connections.”

The public comment period for the project will be open until October 13th. The project also takes written comment for those who do not wish to speak.

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