Charlotte, N.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary
Anthony Foxx joined local dignitaries today to commemorate the groundbreaking
of the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 project with a ceremony in Charlotte’s
Historic West End.
The CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 project will extend
streetcar service west two miles from the Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC)
through Uptown Charlotte and the Historic West End neighborhoods to French
Street. At the other end of the line, the project will extend service east
one-half mile along Hawthorne Lane from Novant Presbyterian Hospital to
Sunnyside Avenue.
“Once Phase 2 is complete, the CityLYNX Gold line will strengthen
important transit connections to two of Charlotte’s most historic neighborhoods”,
said District 1 City Councilmember Patsy Kinsey. District 2 Councilmember Al Austin added,
“These transit connections will pave the way for exciting development and
economic opportunity on the outskirts of Uptown Charlotte”.
The project, with a total cost of $150 million, will add 11
stops and replace the existing replica Gomaco vehicles with six S70 Siemens
modern streetcars with hybrid technology.
The first phase of the CityLYNX Gold Line, began revenue
service in July 2015, is a 1.5-mile segment of the future full 10-mile
streetcar system. With a cost of $37 million, the Phase 1 surpassed
ridership projections from the outset. It currently travels from the CTC via
Trade Street to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center with six stops that
allow citizens to connect to CATS bus and LYNX Blue Line light rail services,
small businesses, Central Piedmont Community College and Novant Hospital.
“Constructing Phase 2 of the CityLYNX Gold Line is a
monumental step in building out our overall transit system”, said CATS CEO John
Lewis, “This important cross-town connection will strengthen transportation
choices for the Charlotte region”.
For more information about the CityLYNX
Gold Line Phase 2 project visit ridetransit.org or call CATS Customer
Service at 704-336-RIDE (7433).