Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will reinvest $30.3 million in cost savings from the LYNX Blue Line Extension project after receiving permission from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The cost savings will help fund future light rail reliability and safety improvements.
Because of these significant cost-savings, CATS received approval from the FTA to reinvest the $15.15 million federal share of the cost savings with a 50/50 state and local match.
"CATS strives to be good stewards of the public dollar. And now, our hard work and effective management of this mega-project are being rewarded," said CATS CEO John Lewis. "We're excited to reinvest these funds into the community in the coming months."
The funds may be used on potential projects including:
- Design and construction of a pedestrian crossing or additional LYNX station in South End.
- Acquisition of 14.9 acres to expand CATS' North Rail Yard.
- Enhance storm drain issues along LYNX Blue Line.
Until fall 2020, the FTA did not allow such use of cost-savings on federally funded projects. CATS will announce exact use-of-funds at a future date.
