CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If you travel along Charlotte’s Rail Trail in South End long enough, you probably notice how the trail ends as you approach Uptown.

• A bridge will finally connect Rail Trail travelers from South End to Uptown.
• The bridge will span across I-277.
• Completion is expected at the end of 2021. 

But soon enough, construction will begin on a new pedestrian bridge connecting Uptown to Charlotte's South End.   

The bridge will span across Interstate 277 as part of the Center City 2020 Vision Plan. A public-private partnership with U.S. Bank is paying for the project.

A statement from Charlotte City Partners reads in part, “A pedestrian bridge connecting Charlotte’s Uptown and South End is envisioned to become iconic infrastructure and an important link between two of the city’s major employment hubs. The pedestrian bridge will span I-277, closing a gap in the Charlotte Rail Trail.”

“We were so excited to see this rail trail opportunity because this is about bringing the community together.  Charlotte is an incredibly vibrant place, and we hope this is a symbol of how we can grow stronger together,” said Tim Welsh, Vice Chairman of Consumer and Business Banking - U.S. Bank

The bridge will cost $11.5 million.  Design work starts later this year with completion estimated for the end of 2021.