Charlotte Trolley Update
CATS staff and Charlotte Trolley, Inc. have been working to finalize arrangements for a new Trolley Barn and Museum located adjacent to the Bland Street LYNX Blue line station. In order to proceed with the construction of the new barn, CATS and Charlotte Trolley, Inc. are negotiating a no-cost (rent free) lease with Charlotte Trolley, Inc. on City-owned property for a base period of 50 years. The Lease Agreement is subject to FTA review and approval prior to seeking Council’s approval. Staff expects that the Lease Agreement will be submitted to Council by early summer. In addition, Charlotte Trolley, Inc. anticipates that Mecklenburg County will pledge approximately $700,000 towards the construction of the new barn and museum with the remaining funding being raised by Charlotte Trolley, Inc.

CATS staff is working on scheduling the return of the Charlotte Trolley service once construction of the LYNX Blue Line is complete. CATS plans to operate its Charlotte Trolley service using replica trolleys during off-peak periods and Saturdays and Sundays for regular passenger service. Due to the seven and one-half (7 ½) minute headways planned for peak service, CATS is not planning to operate any Charlotte Trolley service vehicles during weekday rush hours.

Recently, work on Car 85 was completed which included several modifications to allow this historic vehicle to operate on the light rail line. These modifications included a modernized propulsion control system, automatic train protection equipment and rewiring to change the operating voltage from 600 DC to 750 DC. After completion of these modifications, the FTA conducted a Safety and Security Readiness Review and recommended that Car 85 not be used in regular passenger service intermixed with light rail vehicles. CATS is working with the FTA and Charlotte Trolley, Inc. to develop the criteria in which Car 85 could operate during off-peak and weekend periods. These limited conditions and periods could include special events, excursions and educational settings with additional CATS operational restrictions and supervision.

Street Closure Notice - Charlotte Department of Transportation

Charlotte Department of Transportation
Street Closure Notice
Camden Road
Communicated: October 20, 2006
Closure Date: Overnight October 25, 2006

Camden Rd. will be closed overnight, between Tremont Ave. and Worthington Ave., starting at 9:00 p.m. October 25 through 6:00 a.m. October 26. This is to place the signal housing for the light rail. There will be a detour posted using Tremont Ave., Hawkins St. and Worthington Ave. CATS buses will not be affected.

All City departments and utilities involved in constructing the South Corridor's LYNX Blue Line and infrastructure projects make every effort to schedule and coordinate work to minimize the impact to motorists, pedestrians and area businesses. Weather and unforeseen circumstances occasionally prevent work from being completed as scheduled, and make it unsafe to reopen lanes or streets when planned. When this occurs, City traffic engineers work directly with other City staff and contractors to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and reduce impacts to the traveling public.

South Corridor Project
The LYNX Blue Line and Infrastructure Projects in the South Corridor cover 9.6 miles-from Seventh Street in Center City to I-485 at South Boulevard. The projects include construction of the City's first light rail line as well as road, sidewalk, storm drainage, water, sewer and beautification improvements along South Boulevard, Old Pineville Road and adjacent neighborhoods. When complete in 2007, the South Corridor will provide rapid transit, invigorated business and residential areas, inviting pedestrian and bicycling environments, and safer roads and intersections. For the latest information about the South Corridor Project, visit www.charlottefuture.com or call 311.

Updated Road Closure Notice - Charlotte Department of Transportation
Charlotte Department of Transportation
Road Closure Notice - UPDATE
East Blvd.
Communicated: October 20, 2006
New Closure Dates: October 30 - November 6, 2006

Update: East Blvd., between South Blvd. and Camden Rd., will close from 9:00 am October 30 through mid-afternoon November 6. This closure is to install the rail crossing panel for the light rail tracks. There will be a posted detour using South Blvd., Remount Rd. and S. Tryon St. CATS buses will be affected.

All City departments and utilities involved in constructing the South Corridor's LYNX Blue Line and infrastructure projects make every effort to schedule and coordinate work to minimize the impact to motorists, pedestrians and area businesses. Weather and unforeseen circumstances occasionally prevent work from being completed as scheduled, and make it unsafe to reopen lanes or streets when planned. When this occurs, City traffic engineers work directly with other City staff and contractors to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and reduce impacts to the traveling public.

South Corridor Project
The LYNX Blue Line and Infrastructure Projects in the South Corridor cover 9.6 miles-from Seventh Street in Center City to I-485 at South Boulevard. The projects include construction of the City's first light rail line as well as road, sidewalk, storm drainage, water, sewer and beautification improvements along South Boulevard, Old Pineville Road and adjacent neighborhoods. When complete in 2007, the South Corridor will provide rapid transit, invigorated business and residential areas, inviting pedestrian and bicycling environments, and safer roads and intersections. For the latest information about the South Corridor Project, visit www.charlottefuture.com or call 311.

CATS Keeps You Connected!
Due to construction on the South Corridor Light Rail Line in South End and Center City Charlotte, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will temporarily suspend the Charlotte Trolley service for approximately one year, starting Feb. 6, 2006. During construction, CATS will implement the South End Shuttle.

The South End Shuttle will take you to Historic South End, Center City Charlotte and all the places in between. While we're making progress on the light rail line, you can still grab a bite to eat, shop 'til you drop, or get to that appointment… without moving your car.

The South End Shuttle will operate seven days a week, every half hour – just like the Charlotte Trolley. The shuttle will also operate as early as 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and as late as 11:00 p.m. on weekends.

The fare for the shuttle will remain the same as the Charlotte Trolley--$1.00 each way. However, there is a Free Fare Zone in effect in Center City between Morehead and 11th streets. Riders traveling northbound will pay the regular fare when boarding the shuttle between Atherton Mill and Morehead Street. Southbound passengers will pay the regular fare when getting off between Morehead Street and Atherton Mill.

The South End Shuttle will begin service Feb. 6.

For a complete schedule or information on other CATS services, call 704-336-6999 or visit www.charlottefuture.com.