Parsons wins Charlotte, N.C., light rail project

Parsons Transportation Group was awarded a $36.5 million contract for final design and construction management engineering services for the $371 million south corridor light rail project in Charlotte, N.C. The 9.6-mile light rail system will be the city's first major rapid transit effort and will run from uptown Charlotte to the Interstate-485 in south Charlotte. The project will consist of 15 stations capable of handling three-car trains and an administrative/maintenance facility that maintains a fleet of 50 light rail vehicles. The initial fleet of vehicles, with a top speed of 55 mph, will have a 70% low-floor design. Final design work on the the project will begin this summer, with a projected opening for revenue service scheduled for 2006.