IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                            
Contact:  Judy Dellert-O’Keef 704-432-0477
 
CATS HOLDS PUBLIC MEETINGS ON LYNX BLUE LINE EXTENSION
 
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
 
Charlotte, N.C., September 8, 2010 - Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) invites the public to come out and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE) Light Rail Project.  The Draft EIS discusses the environmental, physical, and socioeconomic impacts associated with the project, and lists the mitigation measures that would lessen or eliminate those impacts.  The proposed LYNX Blue Line Extension is an 11-mile extension of the existing light rail line to serve the Northeast Corridor from Center City Charlotte to I-485 at North Tryon Street.

The public review period of the Draft EIS runs until October 12, 2010.   “We encourage citizens to attend one of the public meetings to see if and how mass transit may affect their neighborhood,” said Danny Rogers, CATS Senior Project Manager.  Two public meetings, which will include a presentation and open house, are scheduled in September.    The same information will be presented at both meetings.

Public Meeting Thursday, September 9 Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church 101 West Sugar Creek Road Fellowship Hall   6:00-8:00 p.m.

Public Meeting Tuesday, September 14 Oasis Shriners Center 604 Doug Mayes Place 6:00-8:00 p.m.

CATS will also conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, September 22 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 267 of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, located at 600 East Fourth Street.  Citizens wishing to make formal comments to the Metropolitan Transit Commission on the Draft EIS during the official public hearing may call 704-432-0872 to sign up to speak.  Citizens may sign up to speak until 3:00 p.m. on the day of the hearing. You may also comment on the Draft EIS by sending written comments in an e-mail, fax or letter to:

Mr. Keith Melton       Community Planner   Federal Transit Administration, Region IV 230 Peachtree St., NW, Suite 800 Atlanta, GA 30303-1512  keith.melton@dot.gov

Ms. Judy Dellert-O’Keef Communications Officer Charlotte Area Transit System 600 E Fourth Street, 9th Floor Charlotte, NC 28202 Fax: (704) 432-2729 jdellert-okeef@charlottenc.gov

Copies of the Draft EIS are available for review at CATS’ Main Office on the Ninth Floor of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.  You may also find copies at several local library branches.  Click here for the complete list.  To learn more about CATS and transit planning, please call 704-336-RIDE (7433) or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.