CHARLOTTE — For 20 years, the bridge went nowhere. And the reason the bridge went nowhere? Take your pick: Lack of funding. Design and planning delays. The pandemic.
[ Proposed Rail Trail pedestrian bridge gets new look, new timeline ]
Now, the Rail Trail Bridge, a span connecting uptown and South End for pedestrians and cyclists, stands on the cusp of becoming an actual, real-life project. The city of Charlotte began seeking proposals from prospective contractors this fall and, on Dec. 4, will begin sifting through those bids to see whether there is a fit.
If not, the bidding will be extended. Either way, backers of the bridge hope to have a contractor in place early next year and start construction by mid-2025. Building the bridge, spanning Interstate 277 near the Lynx Blue Line bridge between the Carson Street and Brooklyn Village stations will take a little over two years.
VIDEO: Hawthorne Lane Bridge contractor sues City of Charlotte for $115M
This browser does not support the video element.