What is Lynx?

A light-rail system in Charlotte.

For now, the Lynx Blue Line stretches 9.6 miles from the city center to Interstate 485, with 15 stations along the way. Future lines are planned in north Mecklenburg County, at UNC-Charlotte and to the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport.

The light-rail line, run by the Charlotte Area Transit System, opened on Nov. 24, 2007. It has averaged 12,000 daily riders, well above the 9,100 forecasted.

By 2011, $1.86 billion worth of construction and redevelopment, including 7,581 housing units and 628,000 square feet of commercial property, were planned along the rail corridor.

That is projected to be worth $8.5 million in increased property tax revenue for the city, and $15.6 million in revenue for the county.

Along with city bus systems, Lynx has been paid for by a half-cent local sales tax approved by Mecklenburg County voters in 1998. The tax survived a referendum to repeal it in November of 2007.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory has been a key backer of the transit system.