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.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie