Norfolk Southern Corp. has told the Red Line Task Force and NC DOT it is “not logistically possible” to meet a summer goal for completing a new study of the rail line north of Charlotte, and such a study might take years. The latest letter from the owner of the tracks between Charlotte and Mooresville raises questions about whether the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project can meet the task force’s timetable, which already has been revised amid concerns from Norfolk Southern. Read the full story

The Lake Norman Transportation Commission, which includes representatives from area towns, will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, 6 :30 p.m., at Huntersville Town Hall.

The agenda includes discussion of the organization’s name, a presentation by Huntersville transportation planner Bill Coxe on “Comprehensive Transportation Planning,” committee updates, and updates from the director on Red Line and I-77 widening. Read the full story

John Woods

John Woods is chair of the Metropolitan Transit Commission’s Red Line Task Force and mayor of Davidson.

By JOHN WOODS

Everyone, please take a deep breath! There has been a great deal of discussion, and misinformation, regarding the Red Line Regional Rail Project, and I would like to set the record straight on several issues.

Let’s first remember that we are not debating whether to implement the Red Line. We are instead working together on how and when to bring this project to life. Our communities have twice voted in support of transit, and our citizens continue to voice their support for bringing passenger rail to the North Corridor. So now we are doing the hard work: Figuring out the details of how to fund this initiative and make it a reality. Read the full story

To the Editor:

The Red Line is one of the most important issues facing Davidson since the purchase of the bankrupt Adelphia cable company. As I write this article, the skeptics of this project continue to identify its shortfalls. If we are lucky, the efforts to derail this project – as conceived – will be successful. Read the full story

Two people were taken to the hospital Thursday after a car wreck at N.C. 115 and Catawba Avenue in downtown Cornelius. See a story and photos on CorneliusNews.net.

Starting March 7, you'll have to use Holly Point Drive to make a left turn off NC 73/Sam Furr Road onto U.S. 21. Click to watch a video.

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

HUNTERSVILLE – The $17 million road widening project on Sam Furr Road (N.C. 73) east of I-77 in Huntersville is nearing completion, and it’s bringing a major change in the traffic pattern at Sam Furr and Statesville Road/U.S. 21. Beginning Wednesday, March 7, cars heading east or west on Sam Furr Road will no longer be allowed to make left turns onto U.S. 21. Read the full story

The N.C. 73/U.S. 21 intersection east of I-77 exit 25 has been re-engineered to eliminate some left turns. Here’s an N.C. DOT video explaining how drivers will use new intersection.

See a related story on the changes, “Intersection redesign to end left turns on NC 73 at US 21″

Can’t see the video? Go directly to the DOT page on YouTube.com.

Ty Burns

A letter from Davidson resident and bike shop owner Ty Burns

To the Editor:

I have given serious thought to the article that was recently published with regards to cycling in Davidson. (Feb. 17, 2012, Photo commentary: Is Davidson really bike friendly?”)

I am not sure any one person is truly an expert on whether Davidson is a bike friendly town.” But given that I live in Davidson, I own bike shops in Davidson, Huntersville and Mooresville, and I ride four to six days a week, I just might be in a position to offer a few thoughts. Read the full story