Great news for Johnson C. Smith and KoKo Mo’s Coffee, the CityLynx Gold Line is back in business and now runs more than twice as far as it did previously. The extended Lynx Gold Line, stretching from Johnson C. Smith University to Plaza Midwood, has finally opened after some delays. KoKo Mo’s Coffeehouse is accessible off the Lynx Gold Line.
Charlotte’s streetcar returned after a two-year hiatus and the CityLynx Gold Line now spans 4 miles after a $150 million expansion project. Charlotte Area Transit System CEO John Lewis spoke with reporters near Johnson C. Smith University on Monday about the project.
City government and other leaders have pushed for a 10-mile streetcar line connecting east and west Charlotte through uptown since 2009. The remaining 6 miles are not yet funded but early design work is underway.
The streetcars are hybrid models, allowing them to rely on battery power on parts of their route through uptown — capability that reduced the amount of overhead electrical wiring needed.