The Charlotte, N.C., City Council has awarded vehicle manufacturer and construction contracts for the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 project.
The Johnson Bros. Corporation was awarded $80,671,158 to construct the Phase 2 segment of the CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar and $13,432,362 for associated city improvements. Siemens was awarded the contract to build six new S70 streetcars for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), the public transit system operated across Mecklenburg County and four surrounding counties.
“The CityLYNX Gold Line is an essential component of our region's overall transit system, complementing the LYNX Blue Line and future extension in the south and northeast corridors,” said John Lewis, CATS CEO. “Linking east to west, this streetcar line provides connectivity and opportunity throughout Uptown and its neighboring communities. We are excited to work with The Johnson Bros. Corporation and Siemens as we move forward with the expansion of this vital project.”
Siemens S70 hybrid streetcars are designed with hybrid capability, allowing for operation in portions of Uptown without the need for power from an overhead catenary system (OCS). The S70 streetcars are a compact version of the S70 light rail vehicles that currently operate on the LYNX Blue Line. The cost to purchase these six vehicles and spare parts is $40,400,000.
The new streetcars include traffic light preemption, an automatic passenger counter, large passenger windows and an unobstructed floor concept, allowing more space for bicycle storage and wheelchairs. The S70 streetcars will be built at Siemens rail manufacturing hub in Sacramento, Calif.
“Siemens is thrilled to continue our partnership with the CATS by being chosen to provide riders with the industry’s most modern streetcars,” remarked Michael Cahill, president of Siemens Rolling Stock. “Cities like Charlotte are leading the way in redefining what transportation means in America, and we’re proud to build rail vehicles in the U.S. for the U.S. that help make this possible.”
The CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2 project is set to break ground in January 2017 with revenue service beginning in 2020.