Cross Charlotte Trail

  • Project typeTrails & Paths
  • Project budget$112.9 million for all segments
Two bicyclists wearing helmets riding bikes on the greenway with the Charlotte skyline in the distance

Program overview

The City of Charlotte is partnering with Mecklenburg County to create a 30+-mile trail and greenway facility that will stretch from the City of Pineville through Center City and on to the UNC Charlotte campus and Cabarrus County line. Once completed, the Cross Charlotte Trail will allow residents to travel seamlessly from one end of Charlotte to the other. Approximately 140,000 residents and 130,000 jobs will be within walking distance of the proposed trail and the adjacent greenways that connect to it.  

Program Updates

Segment 6: Matheson Avenue to East Craighead Road (March 6, 2023) Design continues for this segment of the Cross Charlotte Trail. The city is coordinating the design of this segment with Norfolk Southern Railroad and other local stakeholders to complete 90% design plans. Real estate acquisition will begin once 90% plans are complete. 


Segment 2: Brandywine Road to Tyvola Road (Jan. 30, 2023) Construction continues along the entire alignment of this segment of the Cross Charlotte Trail between Brandywine Road and Tyvola Road. Construction is expected to be complete in the spring of 2023.


Segment 8: North Tryon Street to Orr Road (Jan. 26, 2023) Real estate acquisition continues for this project and the utility relocation phase is expeted to start later this year (2023). During this phase, utility infrastructure, such as underground gas, water and sewer lines, as well as overhead power, telephone and television lines, are moved as needed to make way for construction for the project improvements. The project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2026.


Segment 7: East Craighead Road to North Tryon Street (Dec. 8, 2022) Real estate acquisition is complete and utility relocation has started. During this phase, utility infrastructure, such as underground gas, water and sewer lines, as well as overhead power, telephone and television lines, are moved as needed to make way for construction for the project improvements.


Segment 9: Orr Road to Rocky River Road West (Sept. 9, 2022) Utility relocation continues on this segment and is expected to be complete in the spring of 2023.


Segment 10: Mallard Creek Church Road to Pavilion Boulevard (July 19, 2022) The design is approximately 50% complete. The project team is coordinating with Charlotte Water's sewer project in the vicinity.


Segment 11: Pavilion Boulevard to Kempsford Drive (July 19, 2022) Design is approximately 50% complete. The project team is coordinating with Charlotte Water on the sewer project in the vicinity.

Program goals

  • To be nationally recognized by putting Charlotte among the top 25 cities in the country with the most multi-use trails
  • To be continuous by closing the gaps between existing trails, thereby creating 26 miles of continuous trail for commuting and exploring as you travel to your desired destination  
  • To be connected by providing a seamless path connecting people to the larger trail network without using a car  
  • To be separated by creating a comfortable trail separating you from vehicle traffic for a safe and enjoyable experience
  • To be convenient by offering transportation choices and convenient access to neighborhoods and businesses across Charlotte  

Public Involvement

Since the summer of 2014, the project team has engaged the public through a series of pop-up meetings and public meetings. 

Map of the alignment

The map below shows the entire alignment of the trail from the South Carolina state line to Kempsford Drive near the Cabarrus County line.

Map of the Cross Charlotte Trail, starting near the Cabarrus County line and ending at the South Carolina state line  

Cross Charlotte Trail segments

There are 11 total segments of the Cross Charlotte Trail, plus a bicycle boulevard that improves connectivity to the trail in North Charlotte.

Bicycle Boulevard

Phase: Completed in 2021

Length: Approximately 7 miles

Project Budget: $970,000 (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)

Description: This project improves bicycle accessibility and safety along a route approximately seven miles long, extending from the intersection of North Davidson Street and Sugar Creek Road to the intersection of Rocky River Road and Rockland Drive. Improvements include pavement markings and wayfinding signage.

 

Segment 1: South Charlotte Connector

Segment-1.jpg

Status: Completed in 2020

Length: 0.73 miles

Project Budget: $3 million (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)

Description: This project is a partnership between the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The segment extends the Cross Charlotte Trail, connecting to the heart of the Ballantyne area via the existing McAlpine Creek Greenway and Four-Mile Creek Greenway and tying another major employment center and much of South Charlotte into the Cross Charlotte Trail system. The City has completed .75 miles between the McMullen Creek Greenway and Park Road just outside Pineville City Limits.

Mecklenburg County will complete the remaining portion between Park Road and the President James K. Polk State Historic Site on Lancaster Highway. The County’s portion of the Connector is not a part of this project.

Segment 2: Brandywine Road to Tyvola Road

Segment-2.jpg

Status: In construction

Length: 1.54 miles

Estimated Project Budget: $26.5 million (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)

Description:  This project will complete a segment of the Cross Charlotte Trail that will also be a part of Little Sugar Creek Greenway from its current end at Brandywine Road south to Tyvola Road, where it will connect to a further extension being constructed by Mecklenburg County. This segment is expected to open in the spring of 2023.

Contacts
Joe Frey, Senior Engineering Project Manager
Department of General Services
980-219-3589 or joe.frey@charlottenc.gov


John Nicholson, Senior Construction Inspector
Department of General Services
704.618.9901 or john.nicholson@charlottenc.gov

Segment 3: 7th Street to 10th Street

Segment-3.jpg

Status: Completed in 2022

Length: 0.53 miles

Project Budget: $4.2 million (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)

Description: This segment of the Cross Charlotte Trail will close the gap in the Little Sugar Creek Greenway at the interchange of Independence Boulevard (US-74) and the John Belk Freeway (I-277) by connecting from the current trail terminus at 7th Street to the existing trail at Greenway Crescent near 12th Street. It includes a small park with public art, including a canopied structure featuring a curved bench that gently sways in any direction. It was created by artist Matthew Geller.

 

Segment 4: Cordelia Park

Segment-4.jpg Status: Completed in 2017

Length: 0.40 miles

Funding: Funded jointly by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County

Description: This project created a portion of the Cross Charlotte Trail that extends Little Sugar Creek Greenway under Parkwood Avenue and through Cordelia Park to Davidson Street, with a connection to 24th Street. It was built jointly by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

 

Segment 5: North Davidson Street to Matheson Avenue

Segment 5.jpg

Status: Completed in 2022

Length: 1.17 miles

Estimated Project Budget: $3 million (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)

Description: This segment of the Cross Charlotte Trail will stretch approximately one mile between Cordelia Park at North Davidson Street and 24th Street to Matheson Avenue at Chic Godley Road. 

 

Segment 6: Matheson Avenue to East Craighead Road

Segment-6.jpg

Status: In design

Length: 1.0 mile

Estimated Project Budget: $21.6 million (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)

Description: This project will extend the Cross Charlotte Trail from Matheson Avenue to East Craighead Road. This segment is currently under study to determine a recommended alignment and trail dimensions, as well as recommended amenities.

Contact
Stephen Tosco, Engineering Property Manager
Department of General Services
980.293.0992 or stephen.tosco@charlottenc.gov

Segment 7: East Craighead Road to North Tryon Street

Segment-7.jpg

Status: Utility relocation

Length: 1.08 miles

Estimated Project Budget: $7.16 miles (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)

Description: This project will extend the Cross Charlotte Trail main alignment from East Craighead Road to North Tryon Street, with additional connectors to the surrounding area. This segment is currently under study to determine a recommended alignment and trail dimensions, as well as recommended amenities.

Contact
Stephen Tosco, Engineering Project Manager
Department of General Services
980.293.0992 or stephen.tosco@charlottenc.gov

 

Segment 8: North Tryon Street to Orr Road

Segment-8.jpg

Status: In design

Length: 1.38 miles

Estimated Project Budget: $9 million (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)

Description: This project will complete a new segment of the Cross Charlotte Trail through the Hidden Valley neighborhood from approximately North Tryon Street to Orr Road. The project team will identify locations that will connect the trail to the broader area bicycle and pedestrian network as well as to the LYNX Blue Line. The specific project limits and trail alignment will be defined during the planning and design phases and will be posted on this page and shared with nearby residents and businesses once they are determined.

Contacts

Joe Frey, PE, Senior Engineering Project Manager
Department of General Services
980.219.3589 or joe.frey@charlottenc.gov


Paul Benton, PE
Project Manager
Charlotte Department of Transportation
980.257.9844 or paul.benton@charlottenc.gov

 

Segment 9: Orr Road to Rocky River Road West

Segment-9.jpg

Status: Utility Relocation

Length: 1.81 miles

Estimated Project Budget: $18 million (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)

Description: This segment of the Cross Charlotte Trail will run from Orr Road to Rocky River Road West, with connections to nearby amenities. 

Contact

Chandler Crofts, Engineering Project Manager
Department of General Services
980.214.7291 or chandler.crofts@charlottenc.gov

Segment 10: Mallard Creek Church Road to Pavilion Boulevard

Segment-10.jpg

Status: In design

Length: 1.52 miles

Estimated Project Budget: $9.443 million (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)

Description: This project will complete a new segment of the Cross Charlotte Trail along Mallard Creek Church Road at Kirk Farm Park to Pavilion Boulevard. 

Contacts

Carlos Alzate, PE, Project Manager
Department of General Services
704.534.3775 or carlos.alzate@charlottenc.gov


Mohamed Elnagheeb, Engineering Project Manager
Charlotte Department of Transportation
980.221.5528 or mohamed.elnagheeb@charlottenc.gov

Segment 11: Pavilion Boulevard to Kempsford Drive

Segment-11.jpg

Status: In design

Length: 0.65 miles

Estimated Project Budget: $10.934 million (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)

Description: The project will complete a new segment of the Cross Charlotte Trail along Mallard Creek, from Pavilion Boulevard to Kempsford Drive. The project team will identify locations that will connect the trail to the broader area bicycle and pedestrian network. The specific project limits and trail alignments will be defined during the planning and design phases. They will be posted on this page and shared with the community once they are determined.

Contacts

Carlos Alzate, PE, Project Manager
Department of General Services
704.534.3775 or carlos.alzate@charlottenc.gov


Anthony Mendez, PE, Engineering Project Manger
Charlotte Department of Transportation
704.962.7173 or anthony.mendez@charlottenc.gov