Public Push Back on Proposed I-77 South Toll Lane Project

Community members are voicing opposition to a proposed I-77 South toll lane project, raising concerns about potential residential displacement and a lack of transparency as the state prepares to hold public meetings this week.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) plans to add toll lanes along an 11-mile stretch from uptown Charlotte to the South Carolina border, the first major expansion of that corridor since the 1990s.

“Doing nothing is not an option on this corridor,” said Felix Obregon, NCDOT Division 10 engineer. “Without these improvements, congestion and safety conditions will continue to worsen as our region grows to more than 4 million residents by 2050.”

The project would add direct interchange connectors and rebuild several bridges, but residents say early designs could negatively affect nearby neighborhoods and historic sites.

Charlotte City Councilmember Malcolm Graham said the proposal appears to have a disproportionate impact on minority communities, citing possible effects on cemeteries, parks, and local neighborhoods.

NCDOT officials emphasized that the project remains in the planning stage and that no final decisions have been made about the design.

Source: WCNC