Charlotte commuters face South Boulevard closure and Blue Line changes

Charlotte commuters using South Boulevard or the Blue Line near Scaleybark Station face separate but related travel changes after a drainage-improvement project entered a new phase Monday, July 27.

Southbound South Boulevard is closed between Clanton Road and Old Pineville Road. The road closure and related bus detours are scheduled to continue through Friday, Aug. 14, according to the City of Charlotte and the Charlotte Area Transit System.

South Boulevard detour

Drivers traveling southbound should follow the posted detour from Clanton Road through South Tryon Street and Woodlawn Road before returning to South Boulevard. The closure is tied to drainage improvements at the Blue Line crossing just south of Scaleybark Station.

Access to businesses in the closure area will be maintained through alternate routes. Drivers, workers and customers heading into Lower South End should follow posted signs and allow extra time.

Blue Line trains are still operating

The Blue Line is not closed. Instead, trains are scheduled to single-track between Archdale, Tyvola, Woodlawn and Scaleybark stations through Sunday, Aug. 9, during peak-service adjustments connected to the drainage work.

For the phase that began Monday, July 27, CATS is instructing riders at those stations to board all trains from the southbound platforms. Directional signs are scheduled to be posted, but riders should still check station information and CATS service updates before boarding.

The rail schedule is separate from the road closure. The Blue Line single-tracking is scheduled through Aug. 9, while the South Boulevard closure and associated bus detours are scheduled through Aug. 14.

Bus routes 2, 12 and 30 face detours

CATS has issued temporary detours for bus routes 2, 12 and 30 from July 13 through Aug. 14. Riders should expect additional travel time while buses operate on the detours.

For Route 30, Bus Stop 46285 at Scaleybark Road and Conway Avenue is not being served for buses traveling toward SouthPark. CATS directs those riders to Bus Stop 46286 at Scaleybark Road and Hartford Avenue.

A separate CATS alert says stops 46285 and 60900 at Scaleybark Station are being missed by the affected routes. Riders should use the CATS-Pass app or current CATS alerts to identify an alternative stop or route rather than assume their normal boarding location is operating normally.

What Charlotte travelers should do

• Drivers using southbound South Boulevard should follow the posted South Tryon Street and Woodlawn Road detour.
• Blue Line riders near Archdale, Tyvola, Woodlawn and Scaleybark stations should follow platform signs and use the southbound platforms during the phase that began July 27.
• Bus riders on routes 2, 12 and 30 should check CATS updates for missed stops, alternate stops and temporary routing changes.
• Workers, customers and visitors headed to Lower South End businesses should allow extra time and follow posted access directions.

The disruption is temporary, but the Aug. 9 rail target and Aug. 14 road-and-bus target are scheduled dates rather than guarantees that every restriction will end precisely on those days. Travelers should check CATS and city notices before leaving, especially when a trip depends on a specific station platform or bus stop.

Sources

• City of Charlotte: South Boulevard closure and Blue Line service notice