Center City Corridor (LYNX)
Encyclopedia
The Center City Corridor is a proposed streetcar line, to be completed in 2018, which would serve as an extension to Charlotte, North Carolina
's LYNX
transportation network. It would connect the University Park area of west Charlotte with Eastland Mall
in east Charlotte via Uptown Charlotte
.
It is proposed to follow a primarily east-west path along Beatties Ford Road, Trade Street and Central Avenue, through central Charlotte. Currently, it is estimated to be 9.9 miles (15.9 km) with 34 stops and be complete between Rosa Parks Place and Presbyterian Hospital
by 2018 at a cost of $211 million. The second phase between Presbyterian Hospital and Eastland is scheduled for completion by 2023 at a cost of $231 million. CATS estimates that the completed route will have an average daily ridership of between 14,200 to 16,700 passengers by 2030.
At its November meeting the MTC voted to prioritize the construction and completion of both the Blue Line Extension to UNC Charlotte and the Purple Line
commuter rail to Lake Norman
over the construction and completion of the Central City streetcar. At this time the MTC also determined that initial engineering studies for the corridor will commence in 2013 with a phased completion by 2023. Although construction is not slated to commence until the mid-2010s, streetcar tracks for the line are being installed as part of a streetscape project along the Elizabeth Avenue segment between CPCC
and Presbyterian Hospital to be complete by 2009.
Although identified as the number three priority by the MTC, by 2008 CATS began to determine means by which to speed up its construction and be operational by 2013. To further expedite the proposed streetcar line, in May 2008, the Charlotte City Council approved $500,000 to study the corridor in terms of an updated cost estimate, economic benefits and the eligibility of the corridor for federal funding. However in order to complete the line by 2013, CATS has stated that additional capital will be required due to other projects already budgeted and in progress.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
's LYNX
LYNX Rapid Transit Services
Lynx Rapid Transit Services comprises a light rail line serviced by the Charlotte Area Transit System in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
transportation network. It would connect the University Park area of west Charlotte with Eastland Mall
Eastland Mall (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Eastland Mall was a shopping mall in Charlotte, North Carolina. The center opened in 1975 as the then-largest mall in North Carolina with three anchor department stores, Belk, J.C. Penney and Ivey's, and a Sears store joined four years later. Burlington Coat Factory, the mall's final anchor, has...
in east Charlotte via Uptown Charlotte
Charlotte center city
Charlotte center city is the central area of Charlotte, North Carolina. The headquarters for the Fortune 500 companies Bank of America and Duke Energy are located here, as well as the headquarters for East Coast operations for Wells Fargo.Museums, sporting venues, shops, hotels, restaurants, and...
.
It is proposed to follow a primarily east-west path along Beatties Ford Road, Trade Street and Central Avenue, through central Charlotte. Currently, it is estimated to be 9.9 miles (15.9 km) with 34 stops and be complete between Rosa Parks Place and Presbyterian Hospital
Presbyterian Hospital (Charlotte)
The Presbyterian Hospital is a 554-bed hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a private, non-profit regional medical center and the flagship hospital of Presbyterian Healthcare...
by 2018 at a cost of $211 million. The second phase between Presbyterian Hospital and Eastland is scheduled for completion by 2023 at a cost of $231 million. CATS estimates that the completed route will have an average daily ridership of between 14,200 to 16,700 passengers by 2030.
History
In June 2006 initial costs for the completion if the streetcar line were stated at about $250 million. The streetcars would serve as a replacement for both the No. 7 and No. 9 CATS bus routes presently serving Beatties Ford Road Central Avenue respectively. With an estimated cost and ridership in place, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) would vote on the priority for its construction in November 2006.At its November meeting the MTC voted to prioritize the construction and completion of both the Blue Line Extension to UNC Charlotte and the Purple Line
LYNX Purple Line
The Red Line is a planned commuter rail extension for the LYNX network in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Red Line, or North Corridor, would serve as a commuter rail line between Mount Mourne in southern Iredell County and the proposed Gateway Station in Uptown Charlotte...
commuter rail to Lake Norman
Lake Norman
Lake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest manmade body of fresh water located in North Carolina.-General Information:...
over the construction and completion of the Central City streetcar. At this time the MTC also determined that initial engineering studies for the corridor will commence in 2013 with a phased completion by 2023. Although construction is not slated to commence until the mid-2010s, streetcar tracks for the line are being installed as part of a streetscape project along the Elizabeth Avenue segment between CPCC
Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College is a large community college in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The school was founded in 1963; it is the result of a merger between Mecklenburg College and the Central Industrial Education Center....
and Presbyterian Hospital to be complete by 2009.
Although identified as the number three priority by the MTC, by 2008 CATS began to determine means by which to speed up its construction and be operational by 2013. To further expedite the proposed streetcar line, in May 2008, the Charlotte City Council approved $500,000 to study the corridor in terms of an updated cost estimate, economic benefits and the eligibility of the corridor for federal funding. However in order to complete the line by 2013, CATS has stated that additional capital will be required due to other projects already budgeted and in progress.