Rail Trail Bridge
Announcement
January 27, 2025 - The City of Charlotte awarded a construction contract to Blythe Construction for the Rail Trail Bridge. Next steps will include execution of the contract and preconstruction meeting with Blythe Construction.
- Project typeBridges, Transportation
- Project budget$17.6 million
- Project phaseBid
- Construction contractorBlythe Construction

Above: Consultant rendering of the Rail Trail Bridge. For illustrative purposes only. Specific features and amenities could change.

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Project Overview
This project will provide a new bicycle and pedestrian connection over I-277 from the CATS Blue Line Brooklyn Village Station to where the existing Rail Trail ends under the East Morehead Street bridge, north of Carson Street. The project will seamlessly provide Rail Trail users direct access to and from Center City and South End. The design includes a concrete deck, two cable stay arch bridge spans, and various improvements to walkways leading up to the bridge approach areas on both sides of I-277.
Project Goals
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To provide safe, direct, car-free access between Uptown and South End for bicyclists and pedestrians
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To provide connectivity to the Rail Trail and remove I-277 as an obstacle between South End and Center City
Public Involvement
The project team will engage the community at various points in the planning, design and construction process. The following public meetings have taken place:
- Nov. 21, 2019: Project kickoff at Charlotte Powerhouse Studio (now Charlotte Urban Design Center)
- Dec. 7, 2021: Update meeting at Charlotte Design Center
Vicinity Maps


The map above shows the current route of the Rail Trail and the existing gap over I-277.

The map above illustrates the approximate location of the future bridge.
Additional renderings
For illustrative purposes only. Specific features and amenities could change.




