First public infrastructure financed by private investors in the United States began in 1792. The Philadelphia-Lancaster Turnpike lasted more than 100 years.

Anti-rail points met with local counterpoints during Randal O'Toole's recent visit.

It was a room full of people, nearly all of them well accustomed— and rightly so — to usually being the smartest person in the room.

Anti-rail points met with local counter-points during Randal O'Toole's recent visit.

Now things are getting interesting.

This was point-counterpoint week as the vetting process for the Red Line Regional Rail Project proposal entered its second full month, with a goal having a unanimous accord among five municipalities, two counties, the State of North Carolina and the Charlotte Area Transit System by June 30.

Cato Institute's Randal O'Toole tells crowd commuter rail plan will fall short on promises.

Last week, the second letter from Norfolk Southern was released and it contains very concerning information. While the Red Line proponents maintain NS is purely negotiating, it is difficult to understand how anyone but Paul Morris would know that. It may be true that other discussions are going on between NCDOT and NS about lines in other parts of the state. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, what pressures are being brought to bear on NS and on jurisdictions such as Iredell County.

On Tuesday, the Red Line Regional Rail Project met the inevitable tractor-trailer parked on the crossing. And while the brakeman had to bring whatever momentum the proposed commuter/freight rail project may have been enjoying to a squealing stop, its proponents still see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Cornelius advisory committee begins meetings to examine fine details of regional rail plan as the 180-day clock begins ticking.

For the last several weeks, local government officials have been receiving information about a new proposal for the Red Line Regional Rail Project without offering any public discussion on the subject.