LYNX (light rail system)
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This article or section contains information about a planned or expected public transportation infrastructure. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available. |
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| Locale | Charlotte, North Carolina |
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| Transit type | Light Rail |
| Began operation | November 26, 2007 |
| System length | 9.6 mi (15.45 km) |
| No. of lines | 1 |
| No. of stations | 15 |
| Operator | Charlotte Area Transit System |
LYNX is the light rail service in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States that is set to begin service on November 26, 2007. It will become the first major light rail service in North Carolina. It will begin operating seventy years after a previous streetcar system was disbanded in 1938, in favor of motorized bus transit. [1] It is projected to have a daily ridership of 9,100 in 2008, but continue to increase ridership to 18,300 by 2025. [2]
LYNX will be operated by the Charlotte Area Transit System, or CATS for short. The under construction Blue Line will run 9.6 miles (15.45 km) through Uptown and South End, before paralleling South Boulevard to its southern terminus just north of Interstate 485 at the Pineville city limits. Trains will run at 7.5 minute intervals during rush hours and at half hour intervals during non-peak times between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.[2]
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[edit] History
As Charlotte began to see extensive growth by the 1980s, means by which to both control and focus growth into certain areas of the county were developed. By 1984, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning commission made its first recommendation for a light rail line connecting Uptown Charlotte with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as part of the community's 2005 Vision Plan as a means to control growth.[3]
After remaining dormant for nearly three years, the light rail debate once again emerged as a light rail/mass transit task force was established by then mayor Sue Myrick in early 1988. The task force received $185,000 for the initial study of the system. It was originally envisioned to consist of three lines radiating out from Uptown Charlotte:
- One to the northeast connecting with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- One to the south connecting with Pineville, with expansion envisioned to both Fort Mill and Rock Hill
- One to the southeast connecting with Matthews, with expansion envisioned to Monroe. [4]
By September 1988, the results of the initial study carried out by Barton-Aschman Associates placed a $467 million price tag on a 77-mile system encompassing a loop around Uptown Charlotte and eight separate corridors:
- To the east along Albemarle Road
- To the southeast connecting with SouthPark
- To the southeast connecting with Matthews
- To the south connecting with Pineville
- To the west connecting with Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
- To the northeast connecting with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- To the northwest along Brookshire Boulevard
- To the north connecting with Davidson
However the plan was significantly more than the $101 million in bonds which was to be used to initiate the project. This combined with being unable to obtain existing right-of-ways essentially shelved the project as being to costly. [5]
By March 1990, CATS only allotted $14 million for light rail development for the duration of the 1990s. Again, overall construction costs were cited in postponing the development of the system. Additionally, the Charlotte proposal at the time did not anticipate sufficient ridership of the system to acquire federal Urban Mass Transit Administration grant money to develop the system.
The $14 million would be used for both the purchasing of abandoned right-of-way as it became available for future light rail development as well as monies for studying a proposed line connecting the Wilgrove area in east Mecklenburg County with Tyvola Road south of Uptown Charlotte. [6]
Through the late 1990s, the development of a light rail network within the city would be put on-hold. However, in 1998, Mecklenburg County voters approved a one-half cent sales tax to be utilized in the implementation of the 2025 Integrated Transit/Land-Use Plan. This plan included the development of a light rail network. [7] Once the tax was approved, the planning for the South Corridor to Pineville commenced.
On Wednesday, February 22, 2006, CATS unveiled LYNX as the official name of its light rail network. The name was chosen from a list of over 250 possibilities including City Lynx and Xcel. The name was chosen in fitting in with the city’s cat theme (NFL team is Carolina Panthers; NBA team is Charlotte Bobcats), as well as symbolizing the "connectivity" or "links" the system will create within the community. [8]
[edit] Lines
[edit] Blue Line (2007)
The Blue Line, or South Corridor, is the first to be constructed as part of the LYNX system. After receiving a positive Record of Decision from the Federal Transit Administration on May 19, 2003, continued preparation and land acquisition would finally result in its groundbreaking in spring 2005. The line is scheduled for completion and operation by December 2007 at a final cost of $462.7 million.[1]
[edit] History
Although light rail had been envisioned serving as a connection between Charlotte and Rock Hill in previous years, official planning for the corridor would not commence until 1999. The line was to have initially been $225 million, 13.5-mile route serving as a connection between Uptown Charlotte and Pineville along the Norfolk Southern rail line paralleling South Boulevard. [9] In February 2000, the Metropolitan Transit Commission unimaniously approved the corridor for the regions first light rail line.
By April 2000, the first funds towards its construction were spent. $8.2 million was allocated for the initial purchase of materials for the lines construction through Uptown Charlotte and South End. [10] By September, Parsons Transportation Group was hired by CATS to complete engineering and environmental studies for the corridor. By this time costs estimates for the completed line increased to $331 million. [11]
By July 2002, the overall costs for completing the line escalated to $371 million as a result of increasing land and construction costs. Additionally, the southern terminus for the line was moved approximately 1.5 miles to the north along South Boulevard as a result of low projected ridership figures for the proposed downtown Pineville station. [12]
By March 2004, costs of the line again were increased to $398.7 million and were again revised to $427 million by January 2005. [13] The increased estimates were blamed on both rising land and construction costs.
After numerous delays caused by increasing cost estimates, the official groundbreaking for the line occurred on Saturday, February 26, 2005. [14]
As a result of the amount of traffic at a number of the stations along its route, CATS determined that bridges spanning the busiest road crossings would be necessary to prevent further congestion. Beginning on Wednesday, January 4, 2006, the installation of concrete girders ranging in size between 89-119 feet commenced at the Tyvola station and was complete by February. Following the construction of these overpasses at Tyvola, similar overpasses were later installed at the Archdale station from April 5 through May 5; at the Woodlawn station from May 10 through May 30; and at the Arrowood station from July 13 through July 23. [15]
By September 2006, estimated completion costs once again were increased. This time the increase was blamed on poor planning and design of the line from the consultants hired by CATS to design the line, Parsons Transportation Group. Revised estimates as of early 2007 call for the project to be completed at a final cost of $462.7 million, more than double the original estimate of $227 million. [16]
[edit] Controversy
As a result the projects rising costs, its construction has resulted in a degree of local controversy. The controversy stems from its opponents viewing the project as being too costly for the projected ridership of the completed line as well as not having a significant effect on reducing Charlotte's road congestion. [17] The project has been scrutinized by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation as being an inefficient use of federal taxpayer dollars [18] as well as being a major issue between incumbent Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory and democratic opponent Craig Madans in the 2005 mayoral race. [19]
Opponents of the rail project have organized a petition drive to force a referendum onto the ballot for November 2007 seeking to repeal the 1/2 cent sales tax for transit adopted in 1998.[17]
[edit] Stations
- 7th Street
- Charlotte Transportation Center/Arena
- 3rd Street/Convention Center
- Stonewall
- Carson
- Bland Street
- East/West Boulevard
- New Bern
- Scaleybark
- Woodlawn
- Tyvola
- Archdale
- Arrowood
- Sharon Road West
- I-485/South Boulevard
[edit] Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor, would connect directly with the existing Blue Line at the 7th Street station in Uptown Charlotte. The line will be an extension of the existing blue line serving University City and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It is proposed to follow a northeast path along the existing Norfolk Southern right-of-way along both North Davidson Street and North Tryon Street. It is currently estimated to be 11 miles in length and cost $740.5 million to complete. [20]
[edit] Stations
- 9th Street Station
- 16th Street Station
- 27th Street Station
- 36th Street Station
- Sugar Creek Station
- Eastway Station
- Tom Hunter Station
- Rocky River Station
- City Boulevard Station
- Harris/North Tryon Station
- University City Station
- UNCC Station
- Mallard Creek Station
- I-485/North Tryon Station
[edit] Rolling stock
In January 2004, CATS began the process of formally accepting bids for the construction of the systems vehicles. Original estimates for the vehicles was $3.5 million per car with the firms Bombardier, Siemens and Kinki Sharyo bidding for the final contract. The $52 million contract for 16 vehicles was awarded to Siemens on February 25, 2004. [21]
LYNX's fleet will initially consist of 16, 91.3-foot, 97,470 pound Siemens-built Avanto vehicles. Each vehicle will contain 68 seats and have a maximum capacity of 236 passengers complete with four bike racks. Each car has a maximum speed of 65 mph but top speed will be restricted to 55 mph with its power coming from 750 volts via overhead wires. [22]
The original order of 16 rail cars was manufactured by Siemens, of Berlin, Germany, with delivery complete in 2006-07. These cars are numbered 101-116. Car 101 arrived via flatbed truck to Charlotte on Friday, June 23, 2006, from the Siemens facility in Sacramento, California where it was constructed. Testing of the vehicles commenced in August 2006 along a 1.3 mile stretch of completed rail between Tremont Avenue and the main CATS light rail shed off South Boulevard. During the testing phase, each car will log 1,000 miles in order to adequately test the acceleration, braking and overall performance for each vehicle. [23]
CATS retains an option to order an additional 25 cars based on ridership once the line is operational.
[edit] Fares
Fares will be purchased on the platform of all stations from self-served ticket vending machines. These machines will accept cash, debit and credit cards. Transfers from buses, weekley and monthly passes will also be accepted. Fares will be equal to those of the existing bus network which as of February 2007 is $1.20 for a one-way trip.[2]
LYNX's fare system will be organized on the proof-of-payment system; there are no turnstiles at the entrances to train platforms. Instead, fares are enforced by random sweeps through trains and occasional checks for fares at the top or bottom of stairs , exits to elevators and escalators by CATS personnel.
[edit] Trivia
- Between the 7th Street and Bland Street stations, the Blue Line utilizes the former right-of-way of the Historic Trolley.
- The Blue Line passes through the center of the Charlotte Convention Center between the 3rd Street and Stonewall stations.
- In May 2006, the Flamingo Family Restaurant changed its name to the Light Rail Family Restaurant due to its location between the Arrowood and Sharon Road West stations along the Blue Line. [24]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Rhee, Foon. "Is a light rail system in Charlotte's future?", The Charlotte Observer, January 19, 1988, pp. 1B.
- ^ a b c LYNX Blue Line South Corridor Light Rail Project Description. Charlotte Area Transit System. Retrieved on February 23, 2007.
- ^ Israel, Mae. "Planners propose strategies for shifting Charlotte-Mecklenburg growth balance", The Charlotte Observer, July 9, 1985, pp. 8B.
- ^ Rhee, Foon. "Is a light rail system in Charlotte's future?", The Charlotte Observer, January 19, 1988, pp. 1B.
- ^ Rhee, Foon. "Light rail has heavy price tag, transit system cost put at $467 million", The Charlotte Observer, December 3, 1988, pp. 1B.
- ^ Braun, John. "Transit officials see mostly buses, carpools ahead: Their $83 million capital projects list includes just $14 million for light rail development", The Charlotte Observer, March 14, 1990, pp. 2.
- ^ Rapid Transit Planning. Charlotte Area Transit System. Retrieved on January 13, 2007.
- ^ Staff reports. "Light-rail name keeps the CATS theme going", The Charlotte Observer, February 23, 2006, pp. 1B.
- ^ Whitacre, Dianne. "Meeting to help decide when, where trains will be comin' down track", The Charlotte Observer, January 25, 1999, pp. 1C.
- ^ Whitacre, Dianne. "$8.2 million will get the ball rolling on light rail", The Charlotte Observer, April 27, 2000, pp. 2B.
- ^ Whitacre, Dianne. "Contract awarded for light rail engineering", The Charlotte Observer, September 21, 2000, pp. 4B.
- ^ Whitacre, Dianne. "Cost of light rail to the south up 11%", The Charlotte Observer, July 25, 2002, pp. 3B.
- ^ Whitacre, Dianne. "Light rail: Higher prices, later arrival", The Charlotte Observer, January 11, 2005, pp. 1A.
- ^ Whitacre, Dianne. "Celebration marks start of work on light-rail line", The Charlotte Observer, February 27, 2005, pp. 2B.
- ^ Whitacre, Dianne. "Light-rail reaches key stage, installation of bridge girders to start this week", The Charlotte Observer, January 3, 2006, pp. 1B.
- ^ LaCour, Greg. "Light-rail tab unvailed", The Charlotte Observer, October 3, 2006, pp. 1B.
- ^ a b Stop the Train Mecklenburg. Retrieved on February 23, 2007.
- ^ "Conservative group criticizes light-rail funding", Charlotte Business Journal, June 15, 2006. Retrieved on February 23, 2007.
- ^ Rubin, Richard. "Maddan takes 3rd bid to shops and churches", Charlotte Observer, October 13, 2005.
- ^ Cimino, Karen. "2007 is key for future of northeast corridor line", The Charlotte Observer, December 31, 2006, pp. 1C.
- ^ Whitacre, Dianne. "Planners OK buying 16 trains for $53 million", The Charlotte Observer, February 26, 2004, pp. 4B.
- ^ Light Rail Vehicles. Charlotte Area Transit System. Retrieved on January 14, 2007.
- ^ Rubin, Richard. "1st LYNX car arrives, but 1,000 miles of tests await", The Charlotte Observer, June 24, 2006, pp. 1B.
- ^ Rubin, Richard. "New name: Light Rail Restaurant", The Charlotte Observer, May 17, 2006, pp. 4B.
[edit] External links
- CATS Rapid Transit Planning
| Currently operating light rail and streetcar systems in the United States | |
|---|---|
| MBTA Green and Ashmont-Mattapan Lines | Hudson-Bergen Light Rail | Newark Light Rail | River Line | Buffalo Metro Rail | SEPTA Subway-Surface, Suburban and Girard Avenue Trolley Lines | Norristown High Speed Line | Pittsburgh Light Rail | Baltimore Light Rail | Hiawatha Line | New Orleans Streetcar System | Kenosha Transit | RTA Rapid Transit Blue and Green Lines | TECO | LYNX (to begin 11/26/07) | Charlotte Trolley | MATA Main Street Trolley | River Rail Streetcar | DART | M-Line | METRORail | Galveston Island Trolley | St. Louis Metrolink | Muni Metro, Cable Car and F Market Lines | VTA | RT | LACMTA Blue, Green and Gold Lines | San Diego Trolley | MAX | Portland Streetcar | Portland Vintage Trolley | TRAX | Old Pueblo Trolley | TheRide | Platte Valley Trolley | Fort Collins Municipal Railway | Tacoma Link |
