N.C. Legislation Would Support Transportation Infrastructure Across Charlotte-Mecklenburg

The managers of Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, and the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Mint Hill and Pineville, representing 97% of the county, appreciate North Carolina Representative Tricia Cotham for filing House Bill 948, Projects for Advancing Vehicle-infrastructure Enhancements (PAVE Act). The managers have prided themselves on presenting a potential solution to lawmakers at the North Carolina General Assembly that is transformational in solving the transportation concerns the county faces over the next three decades.

We appreciate the thoughtful considerations that Representative Cotham has taken and the managers look forward to working with her and her colleagues in the House and Senate to 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.

As with Senate Bill 145 and 584, the bill filed by Representative Cotham today supports the primary aspects of the proposal sent to lawmakers at the end of last year. A new, independent authority overseeing the transit planning and governance across the county with the sales tax revenue dedicated to increasing connectivity to the economic hubs throughout Mecklenburg County, and the opportunity to make improvements to the county-wide bus system and expand micro-transit across the county. Additionally, the 40% for road funding remains for the City and individual towns to support the growth seen in congestion and increased travel times.  

The managers of Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, and the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Mint Hill and Pineville are grateful to Representative Cotham for her leadership and willingness to be part of Mecklenburg County’s continual evolution. Transportation infrastructure will continue being a major determining factor in the health, safety, and quality of life of our community, and the PAVE Act will play a major role in how we move forward.