Charlotte's Light Rail: Lynx Blue Line

[tozmervo]

 

[kermit]

There was a large amount of activity at BLE stations this morning. Tarps were removed from the platform enclosures and fare machines and the stations are now fully lit (even during the day?). There was also lots of work happening on crossing gates. Full fledged testing soon?

#GofasterBalfourBeatty

EDIT:  I noticed lit signals (at least the one at the Northern service yard exit at Jordan ave) on the BLE today!

Edited September 12, 2017 by kermit

[kermit]

 

Is CATS running three-car trains on the Blue Line today?

I understand if not (gotta keep the doors in the last car closed until reaching Woodlawn or 485 which is gonna cause lots of confusion) but it seems a shame not to give it a try -- totally worth an experiment before the BLE opens.

Edited September 17, 2017 by kermit

[southslider]

^No

 

[End_The_Sprawl]

I know the testing has been going on for some time, but last night I saw a test train at the UNCC station. (The pics are blurry because I was trying to get closer with half of the sidewalks closed)

[kermit]

just guessing based on changes in the nature of construction activty (looks like its all punch list work at this point) but I think we are close to BB turning the line over to CATS for full time testing. 

Testing is suposed to take just under six months before revenue service can begin  (so we are approaching the March drop dead deadline) but I think CATS has managed to do a little of that work already (not sure). 

Edited September 21, 2017 by kermit

[AP3]

I know the testing has been going on for some time, but last night I saw a test train at the UNCC station. (The pics are blurry because I was trying to get closer with half of the sidewalks closed)

I was driving down Harris and saw a train go over the Harris bridge! Very cool - felt like I was in Chicago or the Bronx. Overstatement, but it was still cool to see the train go over the intersection.


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[KJHburg]

Finally caught a test train going south near 36th St Station and it stopped at 25th Street station.  Also a picture of the Old Concord Rd bridge. 

[KJHburg]

Love this view of the skyline from light rail around N Brevard St 

[Hidden Valley memory]

.

Edited September 27, 2017 by Hidden Valley memory

[End_The_Sprawl]

Today there was a day test of the tracks by UNCC. Hopefully they can move quickly to finish the line.

[Cadi40]

So is everywhere on the BLE going to become like South end now? I would hope so.

[Niner National]

7 minutes ago, Cadi40 said:

So is everywhere on the BLE going to become like South end now? I would hope so.

Don't expect much for the area between Noda and the last 2 or 3 stops.  Uptown through Noda and around the university will see a ton of new development. 

[Cadi40]

I hope to at least see one High Rise or a Mid Rise in between Uptown and Noda, If we can get a few of them it would make our Skyline more Sprawling. But with that said, There is a plan in place to kinda create a "Downtown" Southend, I am talking about the Atheron Mills Area, They are supposed to be around 170' and a few other Mid rises will be in that area. 

Edited September 29, 2017 by Cadi40

[LKN704]

 

Not sure if this has posted.

Note the exit signs and the blue exit placards in the tunnel that point on the direction of the nearest portal.

[kermit]

Drove across the Mathesion bridge this morning and at a glance (I was driving) it appears that one of the two NS / NCRR tracks that runs over the new 36th st overpass has been connected to the main. While I didn't get a great view, the completion of this section suggests that the remainder of the work should go more quickly since this completed work should have also included the re connection of the Atando junction switch.

I am _guessing_ that within the next week the new tracks should be operational and the old tracks (the last thing blocking 36th st) can be removed.

Nice to see progress!

[kermit]

Tie replacement is -still- ongoing. Today it was on the N Tryon / Old Concord bridge.

[Scribe]

46 minutes ago, kermit said:

Tie replacement is -still- ongoing. Today it was on the N Tryon / Old Concord bridge.

At this pace, they are not going to make the deadline...

[ajfunder]

On 10/5/2017 at 8:44 AM, kermit said:

Tie replacement is -still- ongoing. Today it was on the N Tryon / Old Concord bridge.

I live in Colorado now and one of our local rail lines was just shut down for a single week. In that week the railroad replaced most of the ties, a lot of rail, and installed PTC on 64 miles of track through extremely remote mountain territory. Then there is Balfour Beatty struggling to replace ties on 9 miles (18 with the 2nd track) of track. They really are dragging there feet.

[uptownliving]

On ‎10‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 10:06 AM, kermit said:

Drove across the Mathesion bridge this morning and at a glance (I was driving) it appears that one of the two NS / NCRR tracks that runs over the new 36th st overpass has been connected to the main. While I didn't get a great view, the completion of this section suggests that the remainder of the work should go more quickly since this completed work should have also included the re connection of the Atando junction switch.

I am _guessing_ that within the next week the new tracks should be operational and the old tracks (the last thing blocking 36th st) can be removed.

Nice to see progress!

At the Blue Line Update last night the Project Manager stated that Norfolk Southern has moved one freight rail line to the new tracks and that within the next 2 weeks they should complete the move of the 2nd track. That fact that NS is now finally doing this work removes the holdup on the rest of the work to be done at the 36th St Station and Craighead crossing.

Edited October 11, 2017 by uptownliving
update

[Matthew.Brendan]

Speaking of, here’s some shots of the new track at Craighead with the old ones removed. 

[kermit]

^ Is Craighead going to be briefly reopened? Judging by the amount of work that needs to be done after the track replacement I am thinking its unlikely.

[Matthew.Brendan]

Supposedly that is the plan.... I don’t really see why they would bother. It’s as good as closed in my mind. I just hope it is somewhat pedestrian/bike friendly to cross once the work is all wrapped up, especially with the apartments going in at Philemon and NoDa itself starting to stretch down Davidson street to Sugar Creek Station. (Deejai Thai and Crown Station Coffee/Pub at the new NoDa Market visible behind the bulldozer)

[uptownliving]

Yep Craighead is due to reopen in December.

[Scribe]

39 minutes ago, kermit said:

Is Craighead going to be briefly reopened?

Yes, December is the timeframe. The second track is supposed to be moved in 2 weeks. (if I remember correctly)

Source: CATS BLE public meeting last night.