North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Charlotte City Council has approved $37.9 million to advance the next phase of design work for the city’s long-planned Red Line rail project, though construction remains several years away.
The proposed 25-mile commuter rail line would link Uptown Charlotte with northern communities using existing rail tracks purchased from Norfolk Southern for $91 million.
With the newly approved funding, planners are expected to refine station locations and complete additional engineering work as the project moves deeper into the design phase.
In 2023 council approved a $5-million contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. to support planning and design. The initial scope of that contract included updating project goals, conducting community outreach, and completing preliminary design work such as 15 per cent grade crossing and track design, evaluating Center City alignment options, and identifying potential station locations.
An earlier contract amendment, executed March 15, 2025, added $320,024 for process development and support related to right-of-way encroachment approvals along the O-Line corridor.
The latest amendment expands the scope of work to advance the Red Line to the 30 per cent design stage and complete the required environmental documentation. This phase will include public consultation, station area planning, utility coordination, vehicle and systems design, and planning for a vehicle maintenance facility, along with updated cost estimates.
City officials expect the 30 per cent design phase to be completed by the end of 2027. The total value of the HDR contract, including amendments, now stands at $43.2 million.