Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge Over I-277

• 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

The map above shows the current route of the Rail Trail and the existing gap over I-277.

The map above illustrates the approximate location of the future bridge.

Additional renderings

For illustrative purposes only. Specific features and amenities could change.