The LNTC bit off a chunk of work at its June Commission meeting, said   Brian Jenest, LNTC Chair. “In fact, we expanded our load by virtue of the ULI Report, and will engage each commission member with special assisgnments.  The LNTC unanimously agreed to launch and move toward completion more than 18 separate items, ranging from pushing the  Managed/HOT Lanes concept for early widening of I-77, supporting the  development community, promoting better east/west access for all towns over I-77 to advocating a new parkway east of NC 115 from I-485 to Mooresville. 

In addition, the LNTC will examine various impacts from rail transportation on other cities and will work to get Mooresville/Iredell County to become formal participants in the transportation planning for the region.  “And these are just the projects we forsee today,” Jenest said.  “For sure, there will be others

A delegation of CATS and MTC leaders and supporters learned May 24th, during a trip to  our Nation's Capitol, that Federal money is in short supply and competition is fierce for the remaining revenues, according to John Woods, Davidson Mayor and Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Transit Commission. Woods, County Commission and MTC Chair Jennifer Roberts, CATS director Carolyn Flowers, assistant director John Muth, Charlotte City Manager assistant Dana Fenton and Carroll Gray of the LNTC visited two departments in the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) and with the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) and were told while Charlotte does an excellent job of planning, local committed funding is a prerequisite for obtaining Federal assistance in the future.  Meetings were arranged by Charlotte and CATS lobbyist Jeff Boothe, of Holland and Knight attorneys.

The first stop on the one day visit was with the TIGER Grant department.  Upon inquiry about the $300 million request submitted by CATS on behalf of the Red commuter rail line, department spokesmen said the request was over the limit and ability of the agency to fund.  Of a US total of $1.5 Billion, some 52 grants were awarded nationwide, with an average grant of $32 million.  The only NC project to receive funds was the Yadkin River Bridge replacement, which garnered a $10 million grant.

The LNTC has decided to invite a representative of the City of Charlotte, the Mecklenburg County Commission and the Iredell County Commission to join the group.  They will meet regularly with the LNTC to provide better communication with these important governmental units.

"Our group is now about a year and a half old and we feel our credibility is established, " said Brian Jenest, LNTC Chair.  "It's time we expanded our thinking to better link with regional power structure."