Charlotte began construction today on the Rail Trail Bridge, a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge intended to connect Uptown and South End. As per the City of Charlotte, the bridge will span I-277 and provide a direct route via the Charlotte Rail Trail.
In a statement reported by the City of Charlotte, Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson said, "This is how we build a city that works for everyone, where people can move safely and comfortably on foot, by bike, or by transit; where walkable streets and connected pathways bring neighbors closer together; and where mobility isn’t limited to those with cars, but accessible to all." The bridge is expected to improve connectivity, particularly between the CATS Blue Line Brooklyn Village Station and the existing Rail Trail under the East Morehead Street bridge.
Charlotte Center City Partners and CEO Michael Smith emphasized the bridge's role in linking key employment and entertainment areas. According to the City of Charlotte, Smith said, "Closing the gap in the Rail Trail with this iconic architecture will knit together neighborhoods, expand the CBD and enhance hospitality connectivity." The $16.4 million bridge will feature multiple structural arches, cables, aesthetic lighting, and upgraded walkways, with architectural contributions from Schlaich Bergermann Partner, Thomas and Hutton, and Depeña Studios.
The collaborative effort is funded by multiple partners, including the City of Charlotte, U.S. Bank, which contributed $1 million, and other organizations such as the North Carolina Department of Transportation and Mecklenburg County.
For more information, additional details are available on the Rail Trail Bridge project page.
