John V. Edwards of Norfolk Southern wrote in the letter that the Red Line proposal is "fatally flawed" and is based upon invalid projections of freight use on its tracks. Although the study was still somewhat in its infancy, the railroad declared the proposal "not feasible."

The NCDOT revived talks of the Red Line, which essentially lay dormant for nearly two years as revenues from the half-cent sales tax for transit have fallen short of projections, largely due to the lagging economy, and the Red Line had been put on the back burner in favor dedicating all capital to the Blue LIne Extension to University City, for which there is federal money available. The state's interest in the $452 million project, for which, if approved, it would pay 25 percent, was based on using the refurbished tracks to help expand the state's freight movement capacity.

Edwards' letter concludes by leaving the door open to commuter rail on the O Line based upon "correct" models. Red Line Task Force and state officials were not immediately available for comment. For more coverage, see this week's print edition.

Following is the text of the letter to Morris from Edwards:

Dear Paul,

We have followed with interest and concern the recent campaign to introduce "Red Line" commuter service on the Norfolk Southern-owned rail line between Charlotte and Mooresville. Norfolk Southern stands ready to study with NCDOT and CATS the introduction of commuter rail service on the Norfolk Southern "O" Line. Although I cannot now anticipate the eventual conclusions of such a study, Norfolk Southern commits to ensuring that any new study is based upon realistic operating, financial and regulatory assumptions.

Having said that, Norfolk Southern cannot support the current "Red Line" plan proposed by NCDOT for use of Norfolk Southern's property. The "Red Line" plan is fatally flawed and based upon assumptions about the projected freight use of the O Line that are no longer valid. For those reasons, the current proposal is not feasible and does not constitute a starting point for further discussions. The JPA development process, therefore, is premature and will not lead to an accelerated construction schedule.

If NCDOT wishes to pursue some form of commuter rail on Norfolk Southern's "0" Line, Norfolk Southern will be ready to begin the study based upon updated freight operating assumptions, and the correct financial, tax, liability and regulatory models. This process is not short or easy. It will be an expensive process for NCDOT. But we will work with you to ensure that together we get it right.

John V. Edwards

General Director Passenger Policy

Norfolk Southern