CATS, Chamber to host info session on Lynx Blue Line for businesses | News

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- In preparation of construction for the LYNX Blue Line
Extension (BLE), the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and Charlotte Chamber will host a
"Meet the Primes" event for large and small businesses.

The meeting will take
place at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23 at Extravaganza Events and Props
located at 1610 N. Tryon Street.

Small and minority business owners
should attend to learn about upcoming opportunities for the LYNX BLE project.
The event will include a networking session for large and small businesses to
meet and share information about their services. Attendees will also meet the
BLE project team and learn about the City of Charlotte's Disadvantaged Business
and Small Business Owner programs. Prime contractors to attend include: North
Carolina Department of Transportation, URS, United Construction, Stantec
Consulting, Stacey and Witbeck, Inc. RK&K Construction, PCL Construction,
Mass Electric and more.

"We want to equip contractors with the knowledge and resources that will help
them to work with us in implementing safe and reliable transit options in the
Charlotte community," said CATS CEO Carolyn Flowers.

Construction of the $1.16 billion BLE
Project is scheduled to begin fall 2013 with operational service expected in
2017.  The BLE has received a Full Funding Grant Agreement from the state
of North Carolina for 25 percent of the total costs. This fall, CATS
anticipates a full funding grant agreement from the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) for 50 percent of the project costs. The 9.4-mile alignment would run from
Uptown Charlotte to the UNC Charlotte campus and include 11 light rail stations
and four parking facilities. 

To learn more about CATS and transit
planning, please call 704-336-7433 or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.   

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