PROJECT OVERSIGHT
Federal Transit Administration PMOC, Charlotte, NC

Project Description
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) initiated the first light rail system in Charlotte called the South Corridor Light Rail Project (LYNX Blue Line). The Project, located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, links Uptown Charlotte, the city’s Central Business District (CBD), to the I-485 station. As proposed, the light rail line operates generally within the existing Norfolk Southern railroad right-of-way (ROW) for approximately 9.6 miles. A 3.3-mile portion of the system, between Uptown Charlotte and Scaleybark Road, was city owned railroad ROW that was previously acquired from the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The remaining 6.3-miles of the system operate on separate tracks generally along the Norfolk Southern ROW to the I-485 station. Fifteen station locations along the light rail alignment were identified. Fourteen are full-service stations and one will be event related only. Seven park and ride lots were planned. The Project budget was initially $199.3M federal, $106.7M State, and $120.8M local for a total budget of $426.8M. The ending budget for the Project was $462.7M.

SG&A Scope of Work/Challenges
Steve Greene & Associates was contracted as a subconsultant to participate as a member of the Federal Transit Administration’s Project Management Oversight Contractor (PMOC) team providing oversight services on the South Corridor Light Rail Project including reviews of design and construction procurements, project management plans, schedules, budgets, and overall project progress. SG&A provided services from May 2005 – December 2005.

Success Story
The Project opened for service in November 2007.