LYNX Silver Line

Infobox rail line
name = LYNX Silver Line


image_width =
caption =
type = Light rail or BRT
system = LYNX Rapid Transit Services
locale = Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina
start = CPCC Levine (south)
end = Uptown/Gateway Station (north)
stations = 16
routes = Silver Line
ridership =
open = 2026
close =
owner = Charlotte Area Transit System
operator = Charlotte Area Transit System
character =
stock =
linelength = convert|12.7|mi
tracklength =
notrack =
gauge =
el =
speed =
elevation =

LYNX Silver Line [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Rapid Transit Planning
work =
publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System
date =
url =http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Rapid+Transit+Planning/home.htm
accessdate =2007-01-13 ] |

The Silver Line is a planned BRT (though light rail is possible) extension for the LYNX network in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Silver Line, or Southeast Corridor, would serve as a BRT (though light rail may be a small possibility) line between the CPCC Levine Campus in Matthews and the proposed Gateway Station in Uptown Charlotte.cite news
last =
first =
coauthors =
title =Destination 2030
work =Charlotte Area Transit System
pages =10
date =
url =http://www.ingagepublication.com/publications/charlottelightrail/
accessdate =2007-06-25 ]

It is proposed to follow a southeasterly path primarily along Independence Boulevard, as it extends through southeastern Mecklenburg County. Currently, it is estimated to be 13.5 miles (21.7 km) and be complete through Idlewild Road by 2022, to Sardis Road North by 2024 and finally to CPCC Levine by 2026. Additionally, the line would contain 3,350 parking spaces and 16 stations along the corridor at a cost of $582 million.

History

The prospect of developing a light rail line between Matthews and Uptown along Independence Boulevard was initially evaluated in 1985.cite news
last =Israel
first =Mae
coauthors =
title =County rail system ahead?
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =Metro 1
date =August 8, 1985] By 1997, the Charlotte City Council voted, at the recommendation of an independent transit panel, for the development of a busway in the median of Independence in lieu of light rail.cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
coauthors =
title =Transit experts endorse busways
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =April 27, 1997] The decision to develop a busway over light rail was based on overall costs of $126 million for a busway versus $300 million for light-rail.cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
coauthors =
title =Rail boosters energized by busway's woes
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1B
date =March 21, 1999] However, by 1999 delays in the construction of the busway resulted in a renewed grassroots effort of rail advocates to have light rail placed along Independence. As a result of this campaign, Representative Robin Hayes, who served as a member of the House Transportation Committee, to design the busway in such a manner as to be adapted for light rail when it can be economically justified.cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
coauthors =
title =Hayes says keep rail in picture
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =4B
date =November 16, 2002] In 2002, the Metropolitan Transit Commission recommended that the Independence corridor see the construction, but that as part of the initial engineering studies, light rail accommodation be considered.

By 2006, a study released by the Charlotte Area Transit System indicated that the cost of light rail along the corridor would be roughly double that of a busway and have fewer riders.cite news
last =Rubin
first =Richard
coauthors =
title =Costs could derail hopes on East Side
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1A
date =July 26, 2006] The estimates stated light rail on Independence would be convert|12.7|mi in length at a cost of $585 million, with a projected ridership of 14,400 in 2030; and stated a busway would be convert|13.5|mi in length at a cost of $315 to $325 million, with a projected ridership of 16,000 in 2030. By September 2006, the MTC voted to delay on determining whether a busway or light rail should be built along the corridor until 2011.cite news
last =Rubin
first =Richard
coauthors =
title =Rail? Bus? Neither for now
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =1A
date =September 28, 2006]

References