Last week, NCDOT released new project renderings it says are less impactful on nearby communities. But some homes will still be demolished.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ The North Carolina Department of Transportation presented updated plans for the proposed I-77 South Express Lanes project to Charlotte City Council Monday night โ the first time council formally addressed the issue after an abruptly scheduled, then canceled, meeting on the project two weeks ago.
The presentation came after weeks of community pushback prompted NCDOT to pause the project and extend its community engagement period.
Last week, NCDOT released new project renderings it says are less impactful on nearby communities. The updated designs do not change the scope of the project โ plans still call for two new elevated toll lanes in each direction.
Some council members say their concerns remain. Councilmember JD Mazuera Arias said he wants toll revenue to benefit the communities along the corridor, not just fund construction.
“I think it would behoove us as a council to advocate that part of this revenue is not only going to finance a very expensive project that clearly we don’t have all the money forโฆ but that it would come back into the community to ensure that it benefits that corridor,” Mazuera Arias said.
Among the changes NCDOT outlined Monday: a toll rate cap, free rides for HOV users and transit and discounts for low-income residents.
Displacement of nearby residents remained a flashpoint. Councilmember Dimple Ajmera raised the issue during the meeting.
“At the end of the day this comes down to people losing their homes, and that is concerning,” Ajmera said.
Under the new plans, fewer homes would be demolished under the revised plans, but the Wilmore neighborhood near West Boulevard would still see significant impacts.
When Ajmera pressed NCDOT directly about those homes, a department representative stopped short of offering guarantees.
“Of course, we’re not going to discourage the teams from the alternative technical concepts โ if it is possible we would welcome it โ but as designed right now, NCDOT cannot guarantee that we will not take those homes,” the representative said.
Council returns Tuesday evening for a zoning meeting. Nothing related to the I-77 project is currently on that agenda.
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