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Storm Damage Still Affecting City Streets And Transit

A tree and utility line remain down on a street in Plaza Midwood.
Sarah Delia
/
WFAE
A tree and utility line remain down on a street in Plaza Midwood.

Updated Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018
It could be a week before full light rail and streetcar service is restored in Charlotte, due to damage caused by Hurricane Michael last Thursday. Meanwhile, the city says at least 50 streets remain completely or partially blocked. 

Service on the Lynx Blue Line has been limited since a tree near 12th Street fell on the overhead lines that power the trains. Charlotte Area Transit System says it will continue running buses for at least another week in the middle of the line.  

Trains are running between I-485 and New Bern Station, and 36th Street and UNC Charlotte. As of Tuesday morning, buses were running between Scaleybark and Sugar Creek stations.  CATS said it changed the so-called “bus bridge” locations for boarding safety and efficiency.

CATS also says buses will continue to replace the Gold Line streetcar, which is also affected by storm damage.   

Meanwhile, as of Monday afternoon, city crews have reopened 216 roads that were blocked during the storm by falling trees and power lines. But at least 29 streets around the city remained impassable and 21 others were still partially blocked.   

A city spokeswoman said city crews must wait for utility work before they can move in to clean up trees and debris. She said where roads are blocked, emergency vehicles have access by alternate routes.

David Boraks previously covered climate change and the environment for WFAE. See more at www.wfae.org/climate-news. He also has covered housing and homelessness, energy and the environment, transportation and business.