 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Charlotte Station1914 North Tryon Street Station Description: Charlotte's Amtrak station is located adjacent to Norfolk Southern's freight yard on Tryon Street, two miles from the center of the Queen City. Built in 1964 as Southern Railway consolidated passenger and freight operations to its freight yard, the station's small size and location do not present the best image for passengers arriving in the Queen City. As an interim measure to better accommodate the growing crowds, the NCDOT and Amtrak in summer 2002 expanded the waiting room, added an additional ticket window and ADA restroom. More comfortable benches recently replaced the old 1968 benches. A new station is being planned to better serve the increasing number of passengers and accommodate Norfolk Southern's desire to separate passenger and freight operations.
Proposed Overview: Develop a new multi-modal station that will serve local, regional, state and interstate needs. The new Charlotte "Gateway Station" will incorporate commuter intercity passenger rail, local, regional and intercity bus, rental cars, bicycles and pedestrians. The new station is expected to handle about 500,000 rail passengers annually by 2015. Gateway Station will be built near Bank of America Stadium, three blocks from city center and adjacent to the Third and Fourth Ward neighborhoods. The site is bounded by West Trade Street, West Fourth Street, Graham Street and the Norfolk Southern Railroad. In addition to providing better access to the region's business, entertainment and cultural centers, the new Charlotte multi-modal station also will connect with Mecklenburg County's greenway system and three nearby parks.
Financing: Construction of Gateway Station depends on funding from local, state and federal sources. The station and area track improvements will be constructed in multiple phases. Links: Station Project Timeline Status of the Downtown Charlotte Multi-Modal Station |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Project Status: The NCDOT began acquiring property for station development in 1998. Property acquisition currently totals 36 acres. A 2002 feasibility study examined seven different station design options and eight different track layouts. Eighty-four meetings were held with various stakeholders, both public and private, to assist in the development of the conceptual plan. Preliminary engineering and environmental assessment plans for the new multi-modal center are underway. Plans call for developing a world-class facility with a minimum 50-year lifespan.