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Anthony Foxx for Charlotte Mayor One Charlotte. One Future.

Transportation Issue Statement

 “There is no shortage of needs when it comes to Charlotte area transportation issues. I would rather see us grapple with the hard issues now than grapple with the hard consequences later.”

As a first-term City Council member, Anthony Foxx fought against complacency in transportation by supporting a city budget that built the first new city roads since 2002, improved road maintenance, expanded sidewalk construction and increased bicycle lanes.  As Charlotte’s next mayor, Anthony Foxx understands that the city needs to build a 21st Century transportation system, one that offers residents more choices and improves our ability to attract jobs. 

The Record:

As Chair of the City Council Transportation Committee and Vice-Chair of the Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO), Anthony Foxx has a solid record of leadership on transportation issues, initiating and closely monitoring ongoing projects that help the city better address traffic congestion and manage its growth.

  • Put $300 million in transportation projects throughout Charlotte.
    • Tripled sidewalk investments
    • Expanded bicycle lanes 
    • Led resolution of support for Carolina Thread Trail
  • Supported innovative planning policies to reduce congestion and improve quality of life.  Foxx has consistently supported planning policies that recognize the connection between transportation and land use, including the Transportation Action Plan and the Urban Street Design Guidelines.  Working to balance the economic development benefits of development and the infrastructure challenges associated with it, Anthony has also been a tough grader on rezoning cases where new development would overpower schools and roads. 
  • Pushing for transportation funding solutions.  For decades, Charlotte leaders have watched passively while our area transportation needs spiraled to $12 billion -- beyond the capacity of a reasonable property tax rate to keep up.  Working to end years of logjams and hand-wringing, Foxx worked to build community consensus on solutions.   In 2006 and again in 2008, Foxx proposed the creation of a citizen task force to examine area transportation priorities and recommend funding solutions.  Collaborating with the Mecklenburg County Commission and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Anthony led the creation of the Committee of 21 in 2008.  The Committee of 21 has developed a number of transportation funding strategies that Foxx will promote as Mayor to enhance road maintenance and construction.  Anthony understands that the cost of inaction in terms of jobs, congestion and quality of life are greater than the cost of action. 
  • Led adoption of 2008 Bicycle Plan. In September, 2008, Anthony helped guide a comprehensive bicycle plan through Council.   
  • Strong supporter of transit solutions and accountability from Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). Foxx understands that transit is a key to Charlotte’s future – for its economic development benefits as well as its transportation benefits.  He has supported efforts to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Transit Plan, including:
    • Supported South Corridor Light Rail Line 
    • Supported keeping the half-cent sales tax for transit 
    • Supported preliminary engineering and design for new transit corridors, including the Northeast (UNCC/Green Line), North (Red Line) and East-West Streetcar 
    • Led effort to obtain federal funding for economic impact analysis of East-West Streetcar and formation of Streetcar Advisory Committee 
    • Supported steps to keep light rail option available on Independence Boulevard
  • Pushing to complete I-485 and other state road improvements.   Before and after Governor Beverly Perdue’s pledge to complete I-485 within three years, Foxx has been at the table working to get I-485 done.  As the City of Charlotte’s representative to the Mecklenburg Union Metropolitan Planning Organization (MUMPO), Foxx has worked with regional leaders to keep I-485 as a top priority and to ensure that major state corridors running through Charlotte such as Independence Boulevard are built with greater attention to surrounding communities.

The Vision:

Anthony Foxx will use his knowledge and leadership to solve the critical transportation needs of the city while exercising prudent oversight of CATS and advocating for the necessary revenues to continue new projects and renovations.

  • Complete Critical State Road Improvements.  Whether it is I-485 or Independence Boulevard, Charlotte badly needs to make progress on state road improvements.  Anthony will support dedicating local funds to accelerate the completion of I-485 and the widening of its southern loop.  Anthony will also work with state transportation leaders to prevent past design mistakes along Independence Boulevard that have crippled that corridor. As mayor Anthony can be counted on to fight for fairness in road funding.   
  • Regional transportation decision-making.  Whether it is lobbying Raleigh for more transportation funding, prioritizing state road projects, improving air quality or developing a regional planning vision, Anthony understands that we cannot make significant strides by working in partnership with surrounding towns and counties.  Anthony will push for a regional transportation planning organization that will pull the Charlotte region together and build regional consensus on infrastructure priorities.   
  • Accelerate 2030 Transit Vision.  Anthony will work with area leaders to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Transit Plan, a critical step to furthering the Charlotte area as a community of choice for employers and families. 
  • Promote Balanced Growth.   Anthony understands that traffic problems are not only caused by lack of roads but by unchecked sprawl.  As a City Council member, Anthony has supported development strategies that will improve quality of life, ease congestion and improve air quality, including the Urban Street Design Guidelines, the Transportation Action Plan and the 2008 Bicycle Plan. 
  • Expanded Transportation Choices.  For Charlotte to emerge as a 21st Century city, we need more transportation choices – sidewalks, bicycle paths, roads and transit.  Anthony has an unparalleled record of expanding transportation choices, creating an environment for seniors, children and families to stay healthy and active.
  • Identify and implement dedicated revenue sources.  We cannot address $12 billion in unfunded area transportation needs with current funding sources and yet our ability to grow jobs will be severely limited if we do not close the gap. That is why Anthony will fight for fairness in transportation funding in Raleigh.  That’s also why Anthony pushed for the formation of the Committee of 21, a group of Charlotte citizens who developed recommendations on alternative revenues to support transportation, including vehicle registration fees for road maintenance, expanded use of toll roads and half-cent transportation sales tax (subject to economic conditions). As Mayor, Anthony will work with the state to ensure progress in transportation funding.