Transportation chief to mark Charlotte streetcar opening

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is scheduled to travel to Charlotte, N.C. on Tuesday to mark the opening of the city’s CityLynx Gold Line streetcar. 

Foxx, who is a former mayor of Charlotte, is scheduled to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony with Acting Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillian and current Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter (D), according to transportation department officials. 

Foxx was mayor of Charlotte when the city opened its Lynx light rail system in 2007, which he touted heavily during his confirmation hearing for the transportation secretary post. 

{mosads}The first phase of the CityLynx Gold Line that is scheduled to open on Tuesday will run on a 1.5 mile  route in Charlotte’s Uptown area and include six stations, including one that connects with Charlotte’s existing Lynx Blue Line light railway.

City officials are planning to expand the line by another 2.5 miles, but financing details are still being worked out.