June 19. By Dave Yochum. The NC House of Representatives passed second reading of the PAVE Act, following a vote by the House Rules Committee yesterday to advance the bill to the full chamber. Sponsored by Rep. Tricia Cotham, the bill would allow Mecklenburg County voters to approve new revenue—from a one-cent sales tax—for transportation that would improve road, bus, and rail transit in the region.

After a third reading in the House it will advance to the NC Senate.

Quotable

“This House bill is a game-changer for the Town of Cornelius. It will advance legislation that increases mobility choices for the people of Mecklenburg County and our visitors through a referendum that will be decided by the voting public in Mecklenburg County. It’ll bring real improvements that folks will feel right away,” said Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam.

Mayor Woody Washam / Dave Yochum photo

Background

More than 117 people move to the Charlotte Region every day and the growth is expected to continue skyrocketing. By 2050, the region’s population is expected to increase by nearly 50%. Washam said the legislation will lead to a transportation system that meets the needs of a growing population and “ensures we remain attractive for businesses to grow and relocate here, which is
critical to our sustained economic vitality.”

If passed by the legislature, this bill allows Mecklenburg County to place the issue of a new sales tax on the ballot for a referendum to let the voters decide on funding for new investments in transportation to improve roads, buses, and rail transit in the county.

Details

Provisions of the sales tax include the towns of North Meck receiving half of the one-cent sales tax, or $6 million per year for road improvements in Cornelius, amounting to $20 million in total for Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville.

The Red Line is a 25-mile commuter rail project using the existing Norfolk Southern rail line. The Red Line would provide a regional connection between Uptown Charlotte and the downtowns of Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, with potential to extend into Mt. Mourne in Mooresville. 

CATS Redline proposed stations