The I-77 expansion project would widen 11 miles of the highway with two express lanes in each direction from Uptown to the South Carolina line.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Residents in neighborhoods along Interstate 77 in Charlotte will soon have a chance to speak out against plans to widen the interstate for additional toll lanes.ย
The North Carolina Department of Transportation and North Carolina Turnpike Authority will hold two public meetings next month to discuss a plan to expand I-77 from Uptown to the South Carolina state line. Per state law, toll projects must be approved by the local planning organization. The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) requested NCDOT move forward with the plan last October.ย
Officials found last year that traditional state funding isnโt feasible, making outside investment a more viable option. NCDOT said the reason behind the paid toll lanes is the department cannot afford to pay more than $600 million for the lanes, which come with a price tag of more than $3.7 billion. If transportation officials find a private developer for the job, the state would contribute $600 million and the private company would cover the rest.
Officials toldย WCNC Charlotte the express lanes would be the most expensive transportation project in state history, partly because every interchange on I-77 between Uptown and South Carolina would need to be rebuilt.ย
The first meeting will be held at Johnson C. Smith University on Nov. 12 from 4-7 p.m. The second meeting will take place the next day at Silver Mount Baptist Church on West Arrowood Road.ย
The I-77 expansion project would widen 11 miles of the highway with two express lanes in each direction and build direct connectors to some interchanges. The plan also calls for building sidewalks, bike lanes and shared-use paths along the interstate.ย
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