CATS Light Rail Line
Project Details
Location
Charlotte, North Carolina
Owner
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)
Engineer
King Guinn & Associates
General Contractor
Lightweight Aggregate Supplier
Stalite Lightweight Aggregate
Description
The CATS Light Rail parking deck at Interstate 485 and South Boulevard in Charlotte, NC provides commuter access to the southern end of the Charlotte Area Transit System line. The three-story parking structure is located adjacent to a local elementary school, requiring the embankment behind the retaining wall to remain level with the neighboring schoolyard.
To reduce lateral earth pressures on the wall and improve long-term performance, Stalite Lightweight Aggregate was specified in place of conventional soil backfill. The reduced unit weight significantly lowered wall pressures while maintaining structural stability.
Approximately 13,000 tons of lightweight aggregate were placed efficiently with minimal consolidation effort. The material’s inert composition ensures long-term durability, while its self-draining properties prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup behind the wall. The upper portion of the backfill was capped with topsoil and seeded with grass, allowing the area to integrate seamlessly with the adjacent school grounds.
