Did you know that the Silver Line Rail Trail (urban bike and pedestrian path) could be built before the Silver Line Light Rail (the train)? That’s an exciting possibility that should interest anyone who wants a more walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly east side. Learn more at the Silver Line Rail Trail Open House:
Thursday, July 27
6 – 7:30pm (drop in)
Naomi Drenan Recreation Center
Open House
CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) invites you to an Open House at the Naomi Drenan Rec Center. Drop in between 6 and 7:30 pm on Thursday, July 27 to give your feedback on priorities for the future rail trail—Coliseum Segment—from Plaza Midwood to Amity Gardens.
How would you bike or walk to the Rail Trail?
The Rail Trail will not only be designed for light rail access, but for jogging, cycling, commuting, dog walking and a variety of other activities. It will also connect to more than a dozen local and regional trails and open spaces. Your participation and feedback will lead to more informed decision making as alignment options are weighed.
Read on to learn more.
Get a Reminder
If you use Facebook, you can RSVP here to get a reminder.
What is the Silver Line Rail Trail?
When completed, the Silver Line Rail Trail will be a 29-mile urban trail that accommodates walkers and bikers of all abilities. Ultimately, the path will extend from Belmont, NC to Indian Trail in Union County. The first section to be built, Phase A, would begin at the Charlotte Gateway Station in Uptown and extend to the town of Matthews (covering 15-miles; including 18 stations and one maintenance facility).
The Rail Trail will be…
- A continuous east-west route that is comfortable for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Comfort means that the trail will be user-friendly — separated from motorized traffic where possible, easily accessible from many points, and intuitively navigable.
- A premier trail experience. The trail will accommodate a variety of users, not just commuters, and will seek opportunities to offer moments of discovery, play, education, and exploration. High-quality amenity stations, public art, a comprehensive wayfinding approach, and thoughtful integration with station areas and surrounding land uses will all contribute to a unified trail experience.
- An attraction for new residents and businesses along the corridor. The trail will broaden the customer base and foot traffic for businesses looking to cater to trail and transit users, and new businesses will subsequently attract more trail users who like that there are places to eat, drink, or shop along the way. The trail will also connect to major employment centers along the corridor, making it easier for commuters to bike to work.
The Big Picture
There are three projects within the Silver Line Light Rail:
- LYNX light rail track design and operations
- TOD (transit-oriented development): station area planning and neighborhood connectivity
- Rail trail bike and pedestrian corridor planning
Rail Trail Phase 1
Phase 1 of the Silver Line Rail Trail Study was completed in June 2021. It provided vision and guidance on how to integrate a rail trail that will not only provide transit access to transit riders, but will also provide access, mobility, economic and recreational opportunities to communities within the future LYNX Silver Line corridor. The Phase 1 study outcomes include a conceptual rail trail alignment that complements the light rail alignment; amenity and placemaking recommendations; and corridor preservation recommendations.
Rail Trail Phase 2
Phase 2 for the Silver Line Rail Trail Study aims to advance and refine specific segments of the trail alignment within the Phase A light rail extent (from Charlotte Gateway Station eastward to the Town of Matthews). Segments being studied were identified during Phase 1 because they may have needed additional planning work, coordination with the design team and agencies, and/or community engagement to define a preferred trail alignment.
Segments in this phase include:
- The Village Lake/Woodberry Forest segment: Conference Drive to Monroe Road (approx. 1.5 mi)
- Plaza Midwood segment: Central Avenue station to Pecan Avenue station (approx. 0.75 mi)
- Coliseum segment: Morningside station to Amity Gardens station (approx. 1.75 mi)
An Open House focusing on the Woodberry Forest / Village Lake segment was held at the Independence Library on March 27, 2023.
Monroe Road Advocates (MoRA) is grassroots group of volunteers from Monroe Road neighborhoods, businesses, nonprofits, and schools. We’re connecting community in the corridor from Lupie’s/7th Street to NC-51.
