As part of the ongoing South End Station construction, existing rail trail closures remain in place. To learn more, view a map detailing detours, or find bicycle and pedestrian detours, please click the link below.
Since the Blue Line opened in 2007, the area between Remount Road and Tremont Drive has grown dramatically. The new South End Station will serve this developing community by constructing improvements including:
South End Station will be built through two main construction contracts: 1) Track and Systems and 2) Station and Civil. Stacy Witbeck is now building the Track and Systems contract, which includes the track crossing, crossover and modifications to the light rail’s signaling and OCS (electrical) systems and station foundations. The bulk of their work will take place between spring 2026 and spring 2027. Track and Systems construction will be focused around three bi-annual rail shutdowns, the first of which took place in April.
Image shows a timeline that visually explains that we are currently in the track and systems construction point. Then through the 2027, station construction begins. This will be followed by testing in 2028. The station should be fully operational and aimed to open for service in 2028. This schedule is subject to adjustments as the project progresses.
Demolish and rebuild the Rail Trail behind 2400 South Boulevard
Grade for the signal house and future Rail Trail behind 2326 South Boulevard
Demolish portions of the Rail Trail near the track crossing panels
Install duct banks and vaults for the future station
Install fencing between and beside the tracks
Finish building duct banks and vaults near the track crossing
Rebuild the Rail Trail near the track crossing
Install lighting, a security camera and signage for the crossing
Open the track crossing to the public
Construct site improvements behind 2326 South Boulevard
Construct retaining walls and temporary asphalt surface behind 2326 South Boulevard
Install the signal house foundation
Build the foundation for the Station Communication Cabinet
Begin constructing foundations for station platforms
CATS thanks everyone who participated in past public meetings and surveys. Your comments emphasized the importance of opening the track crossing between Publix and Cortland South End as early as possible, and that’s what we are now doing.
We must temporarily close portions of the Rail Trail to build the new crossing. CATS appreciated everyone's understanding and patience during the closure in April and May while our contractor installed track crossing panels and others improvements. Limited Rail Trail closures will take place this summer to rebuild sections of the Rail Trail to connect the track crossing. Signage will be posted indicating where through access is closed and where local access to businesses remains open. We look forward to opening the track crossing in late July!
Bicycle and pedestrian detours will run from Tremont Avenue to Remount Road using Hawkins Street and Dunavant Street on the west side and South Boulevard on the east side.
Private sidewalks and paths connecting to the Rail Trail will remain open to local users and emergency vehicles but may be temporarily closed to through traffic.
Image shows a map of improvements included in the South End Station project along the Blue Line light rail. The map shows an area along the Blue Line between the Solis Southline Apartments in the south and The Line in the north, and between Dunavant Street and Hawkins Street to the west and South Boulevard to the east. The proposed station platforms are staggered, with the northbound platform alongside the Publix, the southbound platform further north alongside 2173 Hawkins and 2161 Hawkins across from Atherton Lofts, and the crossing in the middle just south of the existing CATS traction power substation. The project includes pedestrian improvements alongside the Publix connecting to South Boulevard and pedestrian improvements between Cortland South End Apartments and 2173 Hawkins connecting to Hawkins Street. South of the station platforms, a track crossover would be added to the section of track alongside the Junction 1504 Apartments. Alongside the crossover, a gap on the rail trail on the east side of the tracks would be filled, with a signal house added alongside.
Email: southendstation@publicinput.com
Phone: 980-580-7502
Mail: Todd Thorne, Engineering Program Manager, 600 E. 4th St., Floor 14, Charlotte, NC 28202
South End Fast Facts(PDF, 24MB)