Tyvola (LYNX station)

Tyvola
LYNX light rail station

Southbound train approaching the platform
Location 5703 Old Pineville Road
Charlotte, NC 28217
Coordinates 35°9′47″N 80°52′39″W / 35.16306°N 80.87750°W
Line(s)
  LYNX Blue Line
Platforms 1 island platform[1]
Tracks 2[1]
Connections CATS Route #16, South Tryon
CATS Route #60, Tyvola/SouthPark
Construction
Structure type Elevated
Parking 464 spaces
Bicycle facilities Racks and Lockers available
Disabled access Yes
History
Opened 24 November 2007
Services
Preceding station   Lynx Rapid Transit Services   Following station
toward I-485/South Boulevard
LYNX Blue Line
toward 7th Street

The Tyvola station is a light rail station on the LYNX Blue Line in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A.. The station officially opened for service on Saturday, November 24, 2007, and as part of its opening celebration fares were not collected.[2] Regular service with fare collection commenced on Monday, November 26, 2007.[2]

The station is located along Old Pineville Road at Grover Road just to the south of Tyvola Road. It has an elevated island platform located between the two tracks, and includes 464 commuter parking spaces.[3]

The Tyvola viaduct is the longest elevated portion of the entire Blue Line. The bridge spans a distance of 3/8 mile (0.6 km) crossing both Tyvola Road and an active Norfolk Southern rail crossing just south of Tyvola. Tyvola was selected for an overpass as a result of its crossing having the highest traffic count of any other along the route with an estimated 45,000 vehicles a day.[4] Beginning on January 4, 2006, the installation of the concrete girders, ranging in size between 89 ft (27 m) to 119 ft (36 m), commenced for the construction of the elevated sections. All pieces were in place by February.[5]

This is the closest station to serve the SouthPark business district, although it is not within walking distance.

Public art

As part of the CATS Art in Transit program, Tyvola features several pieces intended to provide a better overall aesthetic for the station. The most notable piece located at the Tyvola Station is a sculpture entitled Reconstructed Dwelling by Dennis Oppenheim located st street level beneath the platform.[6] Additional works include bas-reliefs entitled Hornbeam by Alice Adams, drinking fountain basins designed to look like dogwoods, the North Carolina state flower, by Nancy Blum, plaid motifs on both the pavers and shelters by Leticia Huerta and the painting of the bridge and retaining walls by Marek Ranis.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tyvola station site plan
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harrison, Steve; Kristen Valle (November 25, 2007). "Light rail, heavy traffic - Thousands wait in lines for a free ride on 1st day". The Charlotte Observer. p. 1A.
  3. ↑ "Layout Plan, Tyvola Road Station" (PDF). Charlotte Area Transit System. 2004-10-04. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  4. ↑ Lyttle, Steve (November 8, 2006). "CATS officials offer look at light-rail bridge". The Charlotte Observer. pp. 3M.
  5. ↑ Whitacre, Dianne (2006-01-03). "Light-rail reaches key stage, installation of bridge girders to start this week". The Charlotte Observer. pp. 1B.
  6. ↑ Kunkel, Bonnie (November 18, 2007). "Tyvola- Discount stores and more at bustling stop". The Charlotte Observer. p. 12U.
  7. ↑ "Tyvola Station: Art in Transit". Charlotte Area Transit System. Archived from the original on 2008-02-21. Retrieved 2008-06-21.

External links