At Monday’s meeting, Chapel Hill Town Council members discussed the proposed 17-mile light rail line extending from UNC Hospitals to east Durham. The project’s price tag is $1.8 billion in year of expenditure costs.

Patrick McDonough, a planning manager from Triangle Transit, presented key questions for elected officials before Triangle Transit can solidify the light rail plan.

Here’s McDonough’s first question: “Build or no build. Do we build or not build the project, a very cut and dry decision.”

Council member Matt Czajkowski questioned the cost-effectiveness of building a light rail system in comparison to other transit solutions like bus service improvements.

“When mammoth public capital projects get started they have a way of building momentum which makes it difficult to, pardon the term, derail,” said Czajkowski.

The proposed line would be partially funded by a ½ cent sales tax approved by county voters in 2012. The Triangle Transit plan lists state and federal agencies as paying for more than half of the $1.8 billion. But Triangle Transit needs to bring a solid plan to the agencies and get their approval before it secures the funds, which could take years. This uncertainty worries Czajkowski.

Other council members and residents expressed support for light rail, and they gave feedback on possible routes for sections of the line.

Phil Purcell, a resident of the Cedars of Chapel Hill, a retirement community in Meadowmont, expressed support for a route called the C2 alignment, which does not divide the retirement community. Council member Lee Storrow also supports this route.

“I voted to support the C2 alignment at Little Creek, and I maintain that that’s the best, both for the logistics of the line and because of environmental impact,” said Storrow.

Others said more analysis is needed before making a routing decision.

Triangle Transit held a series of meetings in November to gather input from residents on the light rail plan. Council member Maria Palmer said some people at the meetings were spreading misinformation about light rail, and staff did not effectively correct that misinformation. McDonough said Triangle Transit will take that feedback into consideration when planning future public meetings.

A Triangle Transit website says the line “could start (operation) in 2025/2026.” You can find out more information and send comments through the website: http://ourtransitfuture.com/

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill: Mayor Pro Tem Amy Ryan on Good Neighbor Initiative, Flood Response and Upcoming Events
Chapel Hill Mayor Pro Tempore Amy Ryan joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Thursday, August 14.
Chapel Hill Planning Commissioner Jon Mitchell Discusses 2025 Town Council Candidacy
Jon Mitchell, the former chair of the Chapel Hill Planning Commission, announced that he is running for the Chapel Hill Town Council.
Chapel Hill Town Councilor Camille Berry Announces 2025 Reelection Bid
Chapel Hill Town Council member Camille Berry announced she will seek re-election. If elected, she will serve her second term.
EPA Advisor, Former Professor Louie Rivers III Announces Bid for Chapel Hill Town Council
Louie Rivers III, a social science advisor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and former professor, announced his bid for the Chapel Hill Town Council this week. Rivers is one of six candidates who have announced bids for the four available seats on the council this fall. “Since the last presidential election, I have become […]
Chapel Hill Approves Rezoning for Greene Tract Site, Hears Next Steps for Development
The Chapel Hill Town Council is making progress on developing the Greene Tract, meeting in June to rezone part of the site. 
Chapel Hill Council Approves Multifamily Housing Project Near Durham Limits with Split Vote
The Chapel Hill Town Council recently approved a project that could bring affordable and multifamily housing to the edge of town.
Nonprofit Consultant, Artist Erik Valera to Join Race for 2025 Chapel Hill Town Council Seat
After falling short of earning election to the Chapel Hill Town Council two years ago, Erik Valera is preparing to run again.
Here Are the Orange County Local Governments' Approved Budgets, Tax Rates for 2025-26
Each of Orange County's local governments successfully approved their operating budgets and tax rates in June. Here are the highlights.
Chapel Hill Town Council's Adam Searing Not Seeking Second Term, Cites 'Heavy Lift' of Local Governing
Adam Searing, a nonprofit and health care attorney, described the Chapel Hill political climate as a major factor in his decision.
Chapel Hill Names Virginia Administrator Theodore Voorhees as New Town Manager
After a six-month search, the Town of Chapel Hill selected its next town manager on the doorstep of the new fiscal year. The Chapel Hill Town Council approved the selection and hired Theodore “Ted” Voorhees during its meeting Wednesday night, the elected body’s last before a summer break. Voorhees, the county administrator for the Orange […]
›