I-485/South Boulevard (LYNX station)

Infobox Station
name=I-485/South Boulevard
type=LYNX light rail station


image_size=
image_caption=
address=9508 South Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28273
coordinates=coord|35|6|26|N|80|52|58|W|type:railwaystation_region:US-NC|display=inline,title
line=rail color box|system=LYNX|line=Blue
other=CATS routes # 12, 42, 58
structure=At-grade
platform=1 island platform
tracks=2
parking=1,120 spaces
bicycle=Lockers available
baggage_check=
passengers=
pass_year=
pass_percent=
pass_system=
opened=24 November 2007
closed=
rebuilt=
ADA=yes
code=
owned=Charlotte Area Transit System
zone=
former=
mpassengers=
services=s-rail|title=LYNXs-line|system=LYNX|line=Blue|previous=|next=Sharon Road West

The I-485/South Boulevard is a light rail station on the LYNX Blue Line in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A.. The station officially opened for service on Saturday, November 24, 2007, and as part of its opening celebration fares were not collected.cite news
first = Steve
last = Harrison
coauthors = Kristen Valle
title = Light rail, heavy traffic: Thousands wait in lines for a free ride on 1st day
work = The Charlotte Observer
page = 1A
date = November 25, 2007
url = http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1156477/light_rail_heavy_traffic_thousands_wait_in_lines_for_a/index.html ] Regular service with fare collection commenced on Monday, November 26, 2007. This is the southern terminus of the Blue Line.

Originally, the southern terminus for the Blue Line was proposed for proposed downtown Pineville near State Route 51.cite news
last =Whitacre
first =Dianne
title = Cost of light rail to the south up 11%
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =3B
date =July 25, 2002
url =
accessdate = ] In 2002, the southern end was moved approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the north along South Boulevard at its present location as a result of low projected ridership figures for the proposed downtown Pineville station.

The station has been designed for commuters in mind with the stations location not far from the I-485 Outerbelt, with the construction of a large underground parking garage serving commuters from southern Mecklenburg County and South Carolina.cite news
first = Kristen
last = Valle
coauthors =
title = Interstate 485/South Boulevard - Commutes start here
work = The Charlotte Observer
page = 12M
date = November 18, 2007 ] The garage is the only one constructed along the line, and was built in a ravine adjacent to Sterling Elementary School. The 1,120 space garage was completed at a cost of $22.9 million. [cite news
last =Rubin
first =Richard
coauthors =
title =Light rail garage digs into budget
work =The Charlotte Observer
pages =2B
date =August 28, 2006
url =http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/635205/lightrail_garage_digs_into_budget_parking_area_at_end_of/index.html
accessdate = ] Due to the garage being built in a ravine, the top floor features a playing field for the adjacent school.__NOTOC__

Notable places nearby

* Carolina Place Mall

Connections to other transit systems

* CATS route #12—South Boulevard
* CATS route #42—Carowinds
* CATS route #58—Carolina Place Mall

Public art

As part of the CATS Art in Transit program, I-485/South Boulevard features several pieces intended to provide a better overall aesthetic for the station. The works include bas-reliefs entitled "Skyrocket Oak" by Alice Adams, drinking fountain basins designed to look like dogwoods, the North Carolina state flower, by Nancy Blum, games motifs on both the pavers and shelters by Leticia Huerta and the painting of the bridge and retaining walls by Marek Ranis.cite web
title =I-485/South Boulevard Station: Art in Transit
publisher =Charlotte Area Transit System
url =http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/LYNX/485+Station.htm
accessdate =2008-06-21 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.charmeck.org/NR/rdonlyres/ejg2n3g7pvlgy2wrseytbvlxwxjd4a7co7jibzaty66fwaywvofdnghoz6gsb2booezl6tmijcfkmrumwabb7juer2f/I485.pdf I-485/South Boulevard station site plan] from CATS
* [http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/LYNX/485+Station.htm I-485/South Boulevard Station] page on CATS website