Charlotte Center City Streetcar Network

[CLTProductions]

Wow

[KJHburg]

what is the completion date of this phase to Biddleville JCSU?  

[NCMike1990]

21 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

what is the completion date of this phase to Biddleville JCSU?  

This page just says projected service start date is in 2020. No specific date is given.

[kermit]

^ Second half of 2020, CATS current fail safe date is December. Earlier (perhaps August)  if everything goes perfectly (it won't)

Edited July 22, 2018 by kermit

[Hushpuppy321]

What is your opinion on TOD Designations along the Streetcar Line?  Do you think it'll help promote development or do you think it shouldn't apply to the Streetcar Line which has been called a 'Pedestrian Accelerator'?

[SgtCampsalot]

55 minutes ago, Hushpuppy321 said:

What is your opinion on TOD Designations along the Streetcar Line?  Do you think it'll help promote development or do you think it shouldn't apply to the Streetcar Line which has been called a 'Pedestrian Accelerator'?

Must be TOD

IMO, as someone who lived without a car in transit-heavy cities, if I need to live in a city but can't afford a car, there's a sense of comfort being near rail, even if it's a slow streetcar. I know I can transfer anywhere, and that's the most important factor that any TOD project can sell.

[kermit]

2 hours ago, Hushpuppy321 said:

What is your opinion on TOD Designations along the Streetcar Line?  Do you think it'll help promote development or do you think it shouldn't apply to the Streetcar Line which has been called a 'Pedestrian Accelerator'?

Honest question: What are the arguments for it not being TOD?

Edited August 16, 2018 by kermit

[Hushpuppy321]

2 hours ago, kermit said:

Honest question: What are the arguments for it not being TOD?

I believe that some folks are of the Opinion that the Streetcar doesn't provide the same reliability (time of travel) nor volume as other forms of Mass Transit so some don't think it qualifies for TOD designation.  I think it couldn't hurt and would encourage urban design nearby.

Im in the camp that believes there will be some development that is spurred by the Streetcar Line but it's slow to happen because the exist Line doesn't really go anywhere.  After Phase II is operational planned residential development may take off (Although may not be nearly as robust as the BLE development)

 

Edited August 16, 2018 by Hushpuppy321

[Scribe]

A little update on the new Siemens streetcar trains..

from twitter...

[tozmervo]

Brace yourselves. Track is coming. 

 

[videtur quam contuor]

I was driving Clanton Road between S Tryon and South Blvd this morning as a fleet of gooseneck trailer trucks were arriving at the rear entrance to CATS from Pelton Street. Two had arrived earlier and had track repair machinery already loaded. Oversize load flags flying.

Edited August 27, 2018 by tarhoosier

[dubone]

That will be such symbolic progress.   

Exciting to see it coming together.  

[JoshuaDrown]

Most of us have been critical of  the Gold Line, rightfully I think... vehicles, travel times, stop locations, etc.

I am, however, very optimistic about Phase 2. There are actually people that live off the Phase 2 stops, and the connectivity provided between Johnson C Smith, Smallwood, Wesley Heights, Johnson & Wales, Third and Fourth Wards, and through to the edge of Midwood will be excellent. Many neighborhoods that feel just a bit disconnected become connected. I am very excited. 

Oh, and the modern vehicles... 

[kermit]

^ Completely agree. The ability to go from 4th Ward to Elizabeth (etc.) without a car (or bus transfer) is going to be a huge change in livability.

[CharlotteWkndBuzz]

1 hour ago, JoshuaDrown said:

Most of us have been critical of  the Gold Line, rightfully I think... vehicles, travel times, stop locations, etc.

I am, however, very optimistic about Phase 2. There are actually people that live off the Phase 2 stops, and the connectivity provided between Johnson C Smith, Smallwood, Wesley Heights, Johnson & Wales, Third and Fourth Wards, and through to the edge of Midwood will be excellent. Many neighborhoods that feel just a bit disconnected become connected. I am very excited. 

Oh, and the modern vehicles... 

Four Universities/Colleges will be connected to light rail/Streetcar:  UNC Charlotte, Johnson & Wales, Johnson C. Smith, and CPCC.   That is huge!

*I also think Trade St has the potential to be something special.  May not see Stonewall type development, but near Gateway and Elizabeth, pretty much blank canvases. 

Edited August 29, 2018 by CharlotteWkndBuzz

[navigator319]

17 minutes ago, CharlotteWkndBuzz said:

Four Universities/Colleges will be connected to light rail/Streetcar:  UNC Charlotte, Johnson & Wales, Johnson C. Smith, and CPCC.   That is huge!

You can also count the Uptown colleges as well such as Northeastern, Wake Forest, USC 

[elrodvt]

1 hour ago, JoshuaDrown said:

Most of us have been critical of  the Gold Line, rightfully I think... vehicles, travel times, stop locations, etc.

I am, however, very optimistic about Phase 2. There are actually people that live off the Phase 2 stops, and the connectivity provided between Johnson C Smith, Smallwood, Wesley Heights, Johnson & Wales, Third and Fourth Wards, and through to the edge of Midwood will be excellent. Many neighborhoods that feel just a bit disconnected become connected. I am very excited. 

Oh, and the modern vehicles... 

I am too. Excited to not have to drive to JC Smith Basketball games anymore. Those are a good time.

[kermit]

The Observer takes a nice trip back to the beginning, middle and end of  Charlotte's first streetcar era:

Quote

In 1937, Duke Power and the City of Charlotte applied to the N.C. Utilities Commission to replace the trolleys with buses, according to the Historic Landmarks Commission.

Trading trolleys for buses, said then-City Council Member J.S. Nance, would be “one of the most progressive moves that Charlotte has made in quite a while.”

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article217508290.html

Edited August 29, 2018 by kermit

[KJHburg]

When is this second phase scheduled to open? 

[kermit]

10 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

When is this second phase scheduled to open? 

December 2020 (ish)

[ChessieCat]

Here at UP we hate overhead wires.  

Nanjing, China was the first city to launch a wireless tram using Bomardier's technology and that was three years ago:

https://www.autoblog.com/2015/11/10/bombardier-primove-break-battery-powered-tram-record/

Wires are uncecessary for anything within 25 miles. The Gold Line would max out at 10 miles if Phase 3 ever gets built.  All you need are the rails, stations and ground-level electric induction.

Thoughts?

Edited August 30, 2018 by ChessieCat

[videtur quam contuor]

https://www.railengineer.uk/2012/11/28/trams-without-wires/

I rode the Bordeaux wireless in October (also in 2004) and it is wonderful, seamless and beautiful. 

[Nick2]

I'm guessing it's more expensive or less safe or else they would have implemented it.

[KJHburg]

Construction of the streetcar line in front of Gateway Village.  Today. 

[nakers2]

Call me weird, but there's something almost romantic about overhead wires to me. I mention my mom's home city of Antwerp a lot, but the city has an extensive tram network, and the overhead wires and tracks in the street just add a vibe to the city. I don't think the Gold Line will feel exactly the same, but one can dream. For me clutter and congestion are exciting, I understand not wanting wires on the square, but especially to outsiders, seeing the wires over the street adds yet another layer to their intrigue of this city that surprises first time visitors.