Q: Best case scenario, when will the first train be active on the North Corridor?
A: Design and construction activities will take approximately four years. Securing state, local and private funding may add to this timeline. As a result, implementation of commuter rail service could be in the 2012 timeframe.
Q. What about the residents and the property affected by the proximity of the rail line?
A: The federally mandated Environmental Impact Statement requires analysis of current and projected noise, traffic and other impacts. Operating 25-35 new daily trains will clearly increase noise along the line, even with new continuous welded (non-jointed) rail and modern locomotives. Traffic in station areas will grow. These issues will be evaluated against federal standards to determine if the new service will result in unacceptable adverse impacts. If so, then some form of mitigation will be required. In the case of noise, this could include additional noise suppression on locomotives, sound insulation of specific homes, noise barriers if physically appropriate, or a variety of other actions. One major source of noise is the sounding of train horns at at-grade crossings. CATS will be designing the at-grade crossings to meet "Quiet Zone" standards, which will permit CATS and the Towns to consider eliminating train horn warnings at crossings.
Q: What's the difference between public and private crossings? What's the plan if a crossing is closed?
A: A public crossing is a crossing of the rail line by a public road; a private crossing usually involves a driveway or road to a residence or private business. Each will need to be protected. Because of the high number of cars using a public crossing, CATS will be adding up to four gates to protect these roads when a train passes. There is little traffic at most private crossings, so most do not have gates. CATS will try, wherever possible, to connect private crossings to public roads (through construction of connector roads or new driveways). CATS will consider closing a crossing only if there is reasonable alternate access for those impacted by the closure. This issue would be fully discussed at public hearings, which are required before any public road may be closed.
Q: Are express buses going to take customers away from the rail line (i.e. faster trip time)?
A: CATS express buses from Mooresville and North Mecklenburg County are very successful and reflect the region's strong interest in public transportation. Once commuter rail service is implemented, the express bus routes will be realigned to focus on the market west of and along I-77, with the commuter train serving the market closer to Old Statesville Road and east of the rail line. Together, they will provide the region with excellent public transportation alternatives.
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