More than 2,000 days after Charlotte City Council voted to design a pedestrian bridge into Uptown, construction has finally been approved.

The Charlotte City Council unanimously approved on Monday a construction contract for the long-delayed Rail Trail Bridge across Interstate 277. The council selected Blythe Construction, Inc., a Charlotte-based firm, for the project after no debate.

The city of Charlotte is taking a significant step toward enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety between South End and Uptown Charlotte. Charlotte City Council members approved a proposal to allocate more than $16 million for a new Rail Trail bridge that would cross over Interstate 277.