Gold Line Extension

CATS Gold Line rail header with a golden yellow background

The Gold Line streetcar is a 10-mile, 37-stop public transportation system that is being built in phases. The line is part of the 2023 Transit Corridor System Plan. The full streetcar line will connect to all current and future rapid transit lines, including:

Gold Line Phase 3

The final phase of the Gold Line proposes to include:

- Extension of the system by six miles
- Up to 17 additional stations
- Key connections to Eastland Community Transit Center and Rosa Parks Community Transit Center
- Public Art at streetcar stops in the east and west corridors

Hechos de la fase 3 en español(PDF, 2MB)


Gold Line Public Involvement 

We want to hear from you! Join the next phase of the Gold Line conversations through three public meetings in April 2024. Dates and times to be confirmed. 

History of Streetcar in Charlotte

  • The Gold Line streetcar was reimagined from Charlotte’s original Charlotte Trolley, which began operation on May 18, 1891, and ran through March 14, 1938. Charlotte Trolley service re-emerged on August 30, 1996, for a 6-month trial period before ending service in February 1997.  

  • After a new bridge was completed over Stonewall Street, service commenced between Atherton Mill in the South End and 9th Street Uptown in June 2004. At that time, CATS purchased three replica trolleys like number 85, an original Charlotte car dating from the 1920s. 

  • When the Blue Line began light rail service in 2008, streetcar service was discontinued until Phase 1 of the Gold Line streetcar construction was completed and opened for service.  

  • Phase 1 of the Gold Line streetcar opened in 2015 to ridership above projections. The 1.5-mile route from Center City served the Charlotte Transportation Center, CPCC and Novant Hospital across six stops while connecting riders to the Blue Line light rail. 

  • Phase 2 extended Phase 1 of the streetcar line XXXX miles from the Charlotte Transportation Center, west to French Street and the front entrance of Johnson C. Smith University in Historic West End. Phase 2 provided 11 additional stops in the east, extending from Novant Hospital to Sunnyside Avenue in Elizabeth, near the Hawthorne Lane Bridge.  

Want to learn about riding the Gold Line? Visit Gold Line Streetcar page.