CATS to mark state grant agreement for LYNX Blue Line extension

Today, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), state and local officials will attend a ceremony to mark a full funding grant agreement with the state of North Carolina for the CATS Blue Line extension project.

The agreement will provide 25 percent of the funding for the $1.16 billion LYNX extension, which will run 9.4 miles from Center City Charlotte to the University of North Carolina-Charlotte campus, CATS officials said in a prepared statement.

“The continued support from our state leaders allows us to advance with the vision set forth for transit in the Charlotte region,” said CATS Chief Executive Officer Carolyn Flowers.

The state support also prepares the system to receive a full funding grant agreement of 50 percent of the project costs from the Federal Transit Administration later this year. The extension will include 11 light-rail stations and four parking facilities. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2013 with service expected to start in 2017.