Preparations for the $1.6 billion Blue Line extension project in Charlotte, North Carolina, are nearing completion. Officials have penciled in March to begin construction on the 9.3-mile light rail line.
The Charlotte Area Transit System’s Blue Line Extension will eventually connect uptown Charlotte to the UNC Charlotte campus along a 9.3-mile route. Planners are targeting testing in December 2016 and a possible opening date of spring 2017. The extension will connect with the south line to total 19 miles of service. The existing line currently averages daily ridership somewhere between 14,000 and 15,000 passenger trips and has been credited with spurring about 2,500 new and expected residential units along the route.
“Design work for the $1.6 billion Blue Line extension is more than 95 percent finished, and the city has closed on 261 of the 312 pieces of land it must buy for the light-rail line to University City,” reports Steve Harrison.
Charlotte is no stranger to the national transportation news cycle. Current U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx left his position as mayor of Charlotte to join the Obama Administration Cabinet.
FULL STORY: Light-rail construction for Blue Line extension to begin in March
L.A.'s Blue Line Reopening Soon, With a New Name
The Blue Line light rail line, connecting Los Angeles and Long Beach, is almost finished with a $350 million repair program. When it reopens to service it will be called the A Line.
Charlotte's LYNX Light Rail: Ten Years Later
How has Charlotte evolved ten years since opening the LYNX Blue Line light rail system?
All I Want for Christmas Is a Transportation Infrastructure Plan That Helps
If the country is about to embark on a new era of infrastructure investment, care will be necessary to ensure long-term benefits for mobility.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service