CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Part of one of Charlotte's most popular walking trails will be closed through the end of summer due to construction, the city of Charlotte announced Tuesday.
The Rail Trail between Tremont Avenue and Remount Road will close on July 15. The city said a private developer is making improvements to this section of the trail, including fencing, landscaping, lighting and new bike racks.
WCNC Charlotte's Austin Walker spoke to residents who were upset by the closure. They said they use that portion of the trail every day and it has already been closed for renovations before.
"Why are they doing that?" one person asked.
Another was even more dismayed by the news.
"My life is over," they said.
This stretch of the Rail Trail goes from the Stable Hand coffee shop past Sycamore Brewing and is one of the busiest areas in South End.
"Sycamore is probably the most heavy traffic business on this trail and it will cause more traffic on the other side," another person said.
CATS told WCNC Charlotte the developer is using heavy machinery and it will be closed for up to eight weeks.
Signs will be installed along the Rail Trail directing people away from the construction and back to an open portion of the trail. The project will keep the trail closed through summer, but an estimated date for when the work will be complete hasn't been announced.
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