Major uptown intersection shut down until October

CHARLOTTE — Tuesday a major intersection in uptown Charlotte was shut down, as part of the multimillion dollar City LYNX Gold Line project.

Construction shut down Trade and Caldwell streets, creating some confusion for drivers returning to work after Labor Day.

"It is a headache," Alonzo Kennedy said. He normally drives through the area, but figured walking would be faster. And when he found out the closure is expected to last through the end of October?

"That's going to be difficult for a lot of people that are working in uptown," he said.

CDOT closed the intersection to install rails. Officials said the closure was originally scheduled for July, but this year's wet weather caused delays.

Matt Allen, the director of sales for Hyatt House Hotel Charlotte, said the timing could not be worse.  September and October are the hotel's busiest months of the year, and he worries the construction could hurt their bottom line.

"This is the easiest way to get in and out of the hotel. And when you start closing down the roads getting to us, it makes it difficult for our guests to get here," he said.

CDOT said it provided several notices about the closure, and that signs will go up to still give drivers local access.  Trade Street is already closed between College and Brevard streets, and it's expected to remain closed through the beginning of September for track work.

But what some consider a headache, others consider progress.

 "I think it's great, because the trolley's coming, and that's what we want to come through here," Askia Bouler said.

For more information on the closures and construction, click here.

WSOC