Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge Over I-277

Announcement

April 16, 2026 - Construction on the north end bent of the bridge is ongoing. The footer is complete and the contractor is working on the rebar and forms for the abutments. Micropiles on the south abutment have been installed. The contractor received approval to start work on the center median, which is expected to begin in early May.

Project typeBridges, Transportation
Project budget$21.3 million (funding amount includes all costs associated with the project such as planning and design, acquiring the right of way, utility relocation, consultant fees, construction, signalization, permits and landscaping)
Project phaseConstruction
Construction contractorBlythe Construction

Above: Consultant rendering of the Rail Trail Bridge. For illustrative purposes only. Specific features and amenities could change.

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Project Overview

This project will provide a new bicycle and pedestrian connection over I-277 from the CATS Blue Line Brooklyn Village Station to where the existing Rail Trail ends under the East Morehead Street bridge, north of Carson Street. The project will seamlessly provide Rail Trail users direct access to and from Center City and South End. The design includes a concrete deck, two cable stay arch bridge spans, and various improvements to walkways leading up to the bridge approach areas on both sides of I-277.

Project Goals

To provide safe, direct, car-free access between Uptown and South End for bicyclists and pedestrians
To provide connectivity to the Rail Trail and remove I-277 as an obstacle between South End and Center City

Public Involvement

The project team will engage the community at various points in the planning, design and construction process. The following public meetings have taken place:

Nov. 21, 2019: Project kickoff at Charlotte Powerhouse Studio (now Charlotte Urban Design Center)
Dec. 7, 2021: Update meeting at Charlotte Design Center

Vicinity Maps

map of project area with a yellow line depicting the bridge spanning I-277 from approximately West Morehead Street on the south side and Brooklyn Village Station on the north side

A map showing a hashed line depicting a railway between the Brooklyn Village and Carson Stations and an orange block over I-277 representing the bridge