If Mecklenburg says ‘yes’ to sales tax question on ballots, when will work begin?

Work on some projects that would be funded by the referendum on Mecklenburg County’s November ballot could begin as soon as late 2026 or early 2027.

The referendum on the 2025 ballot asks voters to approve or reject a 1% sales tax rate increase to fund road, rail and bus projects across the county. Road projects likely will be among the first to get started. Rail projects could take the longest.

If the referendum passes, local leaders anticipate the tax increase will generate more than $19 billion in revenue over the next 30 years. Of that money, 40% will go to rail projects and 20% to the region’s bus system. The other 40% would be divided between Charlotte and Mecklenburg’s six towns for road projects.

Election Day is Nov. 4, and early voting is already underway.

Some projects have priority, and some could come together faster because of their size and scope, local leaders say. Here’s what voters should expect when it comes to work starting:

When would work start on Red Line, other rail projects?

There’s no exact date yet for when crews would break ground on rail projects if the referendum passes. Existing plans include a general timeline and plans for prioritization.

The Metropolitan Transit Commission’s plan for rail projects if the sales tax increase pass includes:

• The Red Line, a commuter rail line from uptown to Lake Norman-area towns
• The Silver Line, a light rail line from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Bojangles Coliseum. The line was originally slated to run from Belmont to Matthews but was shortened due to budgetary constraints over the objection of some east Mecklenburg leaders
• An extension of the Blue Line light rail to Carolina Place in Pineville
• An extension of the Gold Line streetcar from the Rosa Parks Community Transit Center to Eastland Yards

The Silver Line could eventually be extended further east, as could the Blue Line to Ballantyne, according to the plan.

The state law authorizing the referendum says the transit authority must complete at least 50% of the Red Line before completing any of the other rail projects on the docket. The commuter rail project has been in the works for decades but was hindered by a lack of access to railroad tracks and funding.

The Charlotte Area Transit System told The Charlotte Observer the rail projects are currently in the design stage and “will move as quickly as possible, with advancement within the next decade” if the tax increase passes.

What about buses, microtransit?

CATS’ overhaul of its bus system “would begin as soon as possible” if the tax increase passes, with a goal of completing the work within five years, the agency said. The plan, dubbed “Better Bus,” includes $3.8 billion in projects.

CATS plans to increase frequencies on its 15 busiest bus routes to 15 minutes or less.

Additional work would include:

• Bus stop improvements, including 2,000 additional shelters, benches and waiting pads
• Priority traffic signals for buses on the busiest routes
• Bus fleet improvements, including 89 new buses
• Increased express bus service frequency

The bus money would also fund an expansion of CATS’ microtransit program — a rideshare-like service currently operating in select parts of north Charlotte and Lake Norman-area towns — to 19 other parts of the county.

Charlotte, towns make plans for road projects

Road projects funded by the potential sales tax increase could begin in the next year or two.

Charlotte could begin work on road projects funded by new tax revenue as soon as money starts coming in, “which is anticipated to be in late 2026 or early 2027,” city spokesman Jack VanderToll said.

Davidson commissioners would decide the specific start dates for projects funded by the sales tax increase if it takes effect based on existing plans, resident feedback and the town’s prioritization process, town clerk Betsy Shores said.

Specific projects may include a walking path on the east side of Davidson-Concord Road and improvements to multiple intersections. Revenue from the tax increase could also go toward improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, sidewalk maintenance and road resurfacing, she added.

Matthews expects revenue from the sales tax would be available to spend starting in fiscal year 2028, which begins July 2027, town spokeswoman Maureen Ryan said.

“In the meantime, we’ll continue planning and prioritizing transportation projects to be ready when the time comes,” she told the Observer.

Pineville plans to focus on smaller projects “from the onset” with the goal of starting “a more sizable road project” within 18 months to two years of receiving significant revenue, according to assistant town manager Chris Tucker.

Cornelius leaders plan to prioritize projects and set timelines for those projects if the referendum passes, town spokeswoman Emma Mondo said. Those projects may include “major road projects,” work on intersections and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and maintenance.

Huntersville spokesman Ethan Smith said the town doesn’t have details yet on when work would begin on projects funded by the potential tax increase.

Representatives for Mint Hill did not respond to questions from an Observer reporter about the town’s plans for its portion of the roads funding.