Charlotte risks losing out on billions if it waits for the perfect transit plan | Opinion

Editor’s note: This Opinion piece was written in response to “Charlotte has one chance to get its transit plan right. This isn’t it,” (Aug. 26 Editorial). The writer is a former Charlotte City Council member, former NC DOT official and a Federal Highway Administration appointee.

The recent Charlotte Observer editorial critiquing Charlotte’s proposed transit plan missed a critical point: We must generate the necessary local funds to unlock substantial federal dollars available in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Without a local match, our community risks leaving millions, if not billions, of federal dollars on the table — money that could be used to expand transit options, reduce congestion and improve the overall quality of life for all residents.

As a former executive at the U.S. Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, I can attest that the stars rarely align for cities as they are now for Charlotte. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides unprecedented federal investment in transit, but that funding won’t wait indefinitely.

The proposal on the table offers a comprehensive approach, blending investments in road improvements, light rail and bus rapid transit with a more collaborative transit governance model for our growing region.

While the editorial board questions the wisdom of asking voters to approve a plan with some elements yet to be finalized, let’s not lose sight of the fact that this is how large-scale infrastructure projects often work. The broad outlines are set, funding is secured, and then the details are hammered out with input from all stakeholders.

The alternative — waiting for a perfect plan — could mean missing out on federal dollars and watching other regions leap ahead while Charlotte is left playing catch-up.

The success of regional transit hinges on collaboration and compromise. What’s at stake is far greater than a single transit line or a specific project: it’s the long-term viability of a regional transportation network that can reduce congestion, enhance connectivity, and promote sustainable growth.

The key is to design a system that is adaptable and forward-looking, capable of evolving as the city grows and transit needs change.

It’s incumbent on all stakeholders to come to the table and work out the details, rather than risk losing out on billions of dollars in federal funding. To fully leverage these Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, we must show our commitment through local action — by supporting the proposed legislation and sales tax referendum once it is on the ballot.

The time to act is now. We must keep this process moving!