Local

Taxpayers upset with spending over light rail expansion

The Metropolitan Transit Commission voted to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on light rail expansion studies even though lawmakers could cut the federal dollars that would fund those projects.

The commission agreed to spend nearly $4.5 million on the studies to extend the light rail to Lake Norman and Charlotte Douglas Airport.

"I think it's a waste of my money. It could go somewhere else. My kids need better schools," said taxpayer Isaiah Cuthbertson.

Many taxpayers are upset. because they will shell out millions of dollars for the studies even though President Donald Trump may put the brakes on the expansion.

Trump is pushing Congress to save money by slashing money for new transit projects.

If funding falls through, the Charlotte Area Transit System won't have money to build the extensions taxpayers are paying to study.

"It's beyond frustrating," Cuthbertson said.

Channel 9 issued those concerns to John Lewis, the CEO of CATS, who is trying to influence lawmakers who are drafting the budget.

"We are engaging very vigorously to make sure Congress members understand the impact of eliminating the transit capital program," Lewis said.

If Congress cuts federal dollars, it could take years to win back that money.

"Whatever the study finds, the results will be expired by the time it can actually be executed,” said taxpayer Frankie Pettit.

CATS is defending their studies by saying they can hold out for a different administration.

"These studies are able to withstand a planning delay," Lewis said. "No matter what goes on from a budget standpoint in Washington, these are still studies we need to do."

CATS will finish the corridor planning studies in 2018.

They would also have to complete a design study before they would be ready to consider construction.

Lewis said he's continuing to pursue the light rail extension to Mooresville, because voters have continued to ask for the expansion.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: