I-485/South Boulevard station

I-485/South Boulevard is a light rail station for the LYNX Blue Line in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. The station, which features an island platform that sit between the two tracks and the largest park and ride along the line, is located adjacent to Sterling Elementary School off South Boulevard, a major north–south route through Charlotte. Notable places nearby the station include the Carolina Pavilion and Carolina Place Mall.[1]

I-485/South Boulevard
LYNX light rail station
Platform viewed from parking garage
Location9508 South Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28273
Coordinates35°6′26″N 80°52′58″W
Owned byCharlotte Area Transit System
Line(s)
  Lynx Blue Line
Platforms1 island platform
Tracks2
Bus stands3
Connections CATS: 12, 42, 58 [1]
Construction
Structure typeAt-grade
Parking1,120 spaces
Bicycle facilitiesBicycle racks
Disabled accessYes
History
OpenedNovember 24, 2007
Services
Preceding station CATS Following station
Terminus Lynx Blue Line Sharon Road West
towards UNC Charlotte–Main

History

Originally, the southern terminus for the Blue Line was proposed for downtown Pineville, near NC 51.[2] In 2002, the southern end was moved approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the north along South Boulevard at its present location as a result of low projected ridership figures for the proposed downtown Pineville station.[2] The station officially opened for service on Saturday, November 24, 2007, and as part of its opening celebration fares were not collected.[3] Regular service with fare collection commenced on Monday, November 26, 2007.[3] This is the southern terminus of the Blue Line. In 2015, the island platform was extended to allow three-car trains at the station.[4][5]

Services

The station was designed for commuters in mind with its location being near the Interstate 485 (I-485), with the construction of a large underground parking garage serving commuters from southern Mecklenburg County and South Carolina.[6] The garage was the only one constructed along the original line, and was built in a ravine adjacent to Sterling Elementary School. The 1,120 space garage was completed at a cost of $22.9 million, with the top floor featuring a playing field for the adjacent school.[6][7] In November 2008, an additional 54 space parking lot was opened to the east of the station platform due to frequent overflow conditions.[8] By August 2009, digital signs were added to the garage to alert motorists as to how many spaces remain prior to entering the facility.[9]

As part of the CATS Art in Transit program, I-485/South Boulevard features several pieces intended to provide a better overall aesthetic for the station. The works include bas-reliefs entitled Skyrocket Oak by Alice Adams, drinking fountain basins designed to look like dogwoods, the North Carolina state flower, by Nancy Blum, games motifs on both the pavers and shelters by Leticia Huerta and the painting of the bridge and retaining walls by Marek Ranis.[10]

In late 2008 the station received the Federal Highway Administration's Award of Excellence in the "Intermodal Transportation Facilities" category.[11]

References
  1. "I-485/South Boulevard Station". Charlotte Area Transit System. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  2. Whitacre, Dianne (July 25, 2002). "Cost of light rail to the south up 11%". The Charlotte Observer. p. 3B.
  3. Harrison, Steve; Valle, Kristen (November 25, 2007). "Light rail, heavy traffic: Thousands wait in lines for a free ride on 1st day". The Charlotte Observer. p. 1A.
  4. "Community Update - LYNX Blue Line Capacity Expansion" (PDF). Charlotte Area Transit System. July 16, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  5. Harrison, Steve (March 17, 2017). "CATS hoped to ease crowds on light rail trains. Those plans will wait eight years". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  6. Valle, Kristen (November 18, 2007). "Interstate 485/South Boulevard - Commutes start here". The Charlotte Observer. p. 12M.
  7. Rubin, Richard (August 28, 2006). "Light rail garage digs into budget". The Charlotte Observer. p. 2B.
  8. Hall, Kerry (November 13, 2008). "Parking added at LYNX stop". The Charlotte Observer. p. 4B.
  9. "New parking sign assists commuters at I-485 transit station". Charlotte Area Transit System. Archived from the original on June 27, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  10. "I-485/South Boulevard Station: Art in Transit". Charlotte Area Transit System. Archived from the original on January 1, 2008. Retrieved June 21, 2008.
  11. "Charlotte agency's light-rail station attains highway administration honors". Progressive Railroading. December 1, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2008.
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