South End Station
Since the opening of the Blue Line in 2007, the South End area of Charlotte has experienced exponential growth. New developments, residents and businesses have increased the density of this area, and the need for accessible transit is apparent. What began as a way for pedestrians to safely cross the Blue Line Tracks has evolved into plans for a full-blown light rail station midway between the New Bern and East/West stations.
The new station will be designed to the same standards as the recently constructed Blue Line Extension (BLE) stations. The project is a result of the partnership between CATS, Center City Partners, and nearby stakeholders, including private developers of residential, retail and office spaces in South End.
Goals for the project are to:
- Improve transit access to this rapidly developing area of the South End district.
- Provide pedestrians and bicyclists a safe connection across the Blue Line tracks.
- Complete the final Rail Trail segment between New Bern and Carson Stations.
- Reduce impacts to the Blue Line schedule during station construction when trains must operate on a single track.
- Minimize disruptions and noise to local residents and businesses during construction activities.
- Increase capacity of the drainage system across the Blue Line tracks.
Image shows a map of improvements included in the South End Station project along the Blue Line light rail. The map shows an area along the Blue Line between the Solis Southline Apartments in the south and The Line in the north, and between Donavan Street and Hawkins Street to the west and South Boulevard to the east. The proposed station platforms are staggered, with the northbound platform alongside the Publix, the southbound platform further north alongside 2173 Hawkins and 2161 Hawkins across from Atherton Lofts, and the crossing in the middle just south of the existing CATS traction power substation. The project includes pedestrian improvements alongside the Publix connecting to South Boulevard and pedestrian improvements between Cortland South End Apartments and 2173 Hawkins connecting to Hawkins Street. South of the station platforms, a track crossover would be added to the section of track alongside the Junction 1504 Apartments. Alongside the crossover, a gap on the rail trail on the east side of the tracks would be filled, with a signal house added alongside.
Image shows a timeline that visually explains where we are currently in the design phase of the South End Station project. Then through the summer of 2026, materials will be procured. Next, the track crossover is scheduled to be installed in the second half of 2026. Station construction will begin in 2027, followed by testing in 2028. The station should be fully operational and aimed to open for service in 2028. This schedule is subject to adjustments as the project progresses.
The South End Station will support the goals of the 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan, the 2025 Integrated Transit/Land Use Plan and the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan. The city is the grant recipient for the Federal Transit Administration funds to design, construct and operate the Blue Line and proposed South End Station project.
CATS will host public meetings with opportunities to learn about updates for the proposed South End Station on the Blue Line. The future station will be located between East / West Boulevard and New Bern Stations.