Center City Corridor (LYNX)

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.^[1]

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.^[1] CATS estimates that the completed route will have an average daily ridership of between 14,200 to 16,700 passengers by 2030.^[2]

History

In June 2006 initial costs for the completion if the streetcar line were stated at about $250 million.^[2] 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.^[2] 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 commuter rail to Lake Norman over the construction and completion of the Central City streetcar.^[3] At this time the MTC also determined that initial engineering studies for the corridor will commence in 2013 with a phased completion by 2023.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5] 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.^[6] 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.^[6]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Rapid Transit Planning". Charlotte Area Transit System. Archived from the original on 2007-01-11. http://web.archive.org/web/20070111125354/http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid+Transit+Planning/home.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-13. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Rubin, Richard (June 29, 2006). "City eyes east-west streetcar". The Charlotte Observer: pp. 4B. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Rubin, Richard (November 16, 2006). "Rail plans to north, university roll ahead". The Charlotte Observer: pp. 1A. 
4. ^ Rubin, Richard (January 7, 2007). "Lay track. Wait years. Ride - Plan: Streetcars to roll a decade after rails in place". The Charlotte Observer: pp. 1B. 
5. ^ Harrison, Steve (March 28, 2008). "Streetcar move-up has CATS pressed". The Charlotte Observer: pp. 1B. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Tierney, Dan (June 1, 2008). "City OKs further study of streetcars, their costs". The Charlotte Observer: pp. 1M.