Gateway Station project hits roadblocks with interim station funding dropped
Gateway Station in Charlotte faces new delays, raising concerns over its timely completion by December 2029.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gateway Station, the long-promised transit hub in Uptown Charlotte, is facing new delays that are leaving some to question whether it can meet its projected timeline.
City Council member Ed Driggs said the project is still moving forward.
Phase one wrapped up in 2022, adding new track improvements and the Amtrak platform. Phase two — the part that would bring offices, apartments, shops and a permanent station building — has hit more delays.
A letter obtained by WCNC Charlotte from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to the city highlights concerns about Charlotte’s wavering commitment. NCDOT noted the city is no longer willing to fund an interim station, a change that could delay delivery of the permanent station, scheduled for December 2029.
“One of the requirements in there is that there would be a train station,” Driggs said. “NCDOT is working on a schedule and they need that train station by a certain date, so we’ve had some discussions with them about the possibility of a temporary station, if the major project can’t get done in time. So what they’ve paused is that conversation about the temporary station. Work on the larger project continues and we’ll find out a little bit later if we can do it all at once or have an interim temporary station.”
The letter also referenced potential changes tied to the creation of the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority under the PAVE Act, and the possible approval of a one-cent sales tax this fall, which could provide additional funding for transit projects.
Voters will have a chance to weigh in on the sales tax in November, which could influence the project’s path forward.
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