News 14 Carolina's Shawn Flynn has more on how a confusing letter led some to report that light rail would not be open by its target date.
CHARLOTTE -- Despite reports to the contrary Tuesday night, transit officials say the South Corridor Light Rail line will open by its target date.
The confusion came over a letter sent by Charlotte Area Transit System CEO Ron Tober to Archer Western Contractors, the chief contractor on the project. The letter issued some concern about a two-week slippage in schedule.
CATS officials say the South Corridor Light Rail will be open by its target date of Nov. 26.
The slippage, however, would not affect the Nov. 26 opening date, but it could reduce the likelihood that the line will open a few weeks earlier than expected.
“This was all looking at potential for early opening. They’re negotiating now how to bring back that gap in the schedule but it has no bearing on the Nov. 26 date. It is still a firm date for opening.
CATS and Archer Western officials met Tuesday and worked out a plan to get the project back on track. A decision on whether the light rail line could be opened earlier is expected next week.
An early opening could mean the train would be running right before voters go to the polls to determine the fate of the half-cent transit tax.