Charlotte Gateway Station (CGS)

Volkert provided CEI services to the NCDOT Rail Division for Phase 1 of the Charlotte Gateway Station Project in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Charlotte Gateway Station (CGS) will provide a connection for Amtrak, future commuter rail, streetcar, local and intercity buses, and high-speed passenger rail. The multimodal transportation center will replace the existing Amtrak station located 1.5 miles north of Uptown Charlotte.

Elements of the CGS include a proposed 10,000-square foot interim station building, two new exclusive station tracks, and a 1,100-foot-long platform. The station tracks and platform are elevated over 4th, 5th, Trade, and 6th Streets. The proposed station will also include interim parking, an underground concourse, two new railroad control points, and modification of the existing Greyhound bus station.

Volkert provided a resident engineer and four technicians that were responsible for providing engineering and inspection services for seven rail structures, rail embankment, and retaining walls. The project is adjacent to Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers NFL team.

Phase 1 was partially funded through a $30-million Federal TIGER Grant and a combination of state and local funds, with a total cost of $65 million. Work began in the summer of 2018 and was completed in the fall of 2022.

This initial phase included the construction of seven new railroad bridges; two 2,000-foot-long station tracks; signals to govern train operations; and a 1,100-foot-long ADA compliant, high-level passenger boarding platform.

Phase 1’s new infrastructure will separate passenger trains from freight, improve freight traffic flow to and from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and connect the station to NCDOT’s train maintenance facility, Charlotte Yard. The station will create seamless connections to regional and statewide transportation networks and encourage locals and tourists to explore the burgeoning district.