Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Charlotte

NC Gov. McCrory Sets Out to Let Highway Money Flow While Blocking Transit

A new transportation plan put forward by North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory will make it "almost impossible to find money for passenger trains, sidewalks, bicycles and regional transit," according to the Raleigh News Observer.

Why is North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory trying to torpedo popularly supported plans for transit in the "Golden Triangle?" Image: ##http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_McCrory## Wikipedia##

McCrory's Strategic Mobility Formula will clear the way for more spending on the state's highway system, designating about 40 percent of the state's transportation money for projects of statewide importance (big highways, airports and freight rail only). Another 30 percent will be divided between seven regions of the state. Projects eligible for this smaller pot of money would include "second-tier" highways and ferries, but no transit and no Amtrak, reports the News Observer's "Road Worrier" Bruce Siceloff.

Siceloff adds that the governor's plan might torpedo a rail "triangle" between Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill:

It creates new barriers that appear likely to kill prospects for money to build greenways or upgrade Amtrak service.

Also in jeopardy are Triangle plans – endorsed by Durham and Orange residents who have voted to increase their local sales taxes – for light-rail lines and rush-hour commuter trains that could eventually reach beyond the region as far as Greensboro and Goldsboro.

McCrory -- who helped secure funds for Charlotte's Lynx light rail system when he served as mayor -- has also obstructed the city's streetcar plans.

It's something of a mystery why McCrory has become such a dogged transit opponent. Jeff Wood at the Overhead Wire speculates that there are greater political rewards for McCrory in supporting sprawl, since certain individuals stand to profit from some $3 billion in road projects for the Charlotte region, and big-ticket transit projects are seen as competition.

According to the News Observer, state legislators will vote on McCrory's plan "in the next week or so."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

A Few Lowlights from Secretary Duffy’s First Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Hearing

Featuring: shouting matches, word-salad answers, blatant misinformation, and more.

July 17, 2025

Trump Grant Program Pours Money Into Roads, Mostly Ignores Transit Projects

The BUILD program, started under Obama, is chugging along on highways under the new administration.

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines Gouge Away

A House budget bill reverses the Biden administration's spending hikes for transit and passenger rail — cutting them below even what President Trump proposed.

July 17, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Stick With What Works

Forget robotaxis. Just make the bus come frequently and on time.

July 16, 2025

Can Colleges Do A Better Job of Fighting Car Dependency?

"How great would it be if kids graduated without the assumption that they must be completely dependent on a personal automobile?"

July 16, 2025

Commentary: The French City of Lyon Shows How to Connect Communities Without Cars

An amazing 24/7 bike-ped-transit connection can be made for pennies on the dollar.

July 15, 2025
See all posts