CRTPO board approves using private funding for I-77 Express Lanes in south Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Despite a contentious history with express lanes in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte-area leaders voted to move forward with the funding model to widen Interstate 77 in the southern part of town.

During the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization meeting Wednesday night, both N.C. Department of Transportation representatives and local board members mentioned that they have learned from the mistakes of the I-77 Express Lanes project running from uptown to Mooresville. The motion passed 49-12, with Charlotte providing 31 of the votes in favor.

“The I-77 North experience is bad,’ said Charlotte Councilman Ed Driggs. “Given the experience that we’ve already bought into P3 concept, we stuck our necks out.”

The I-77 South project would run from Brookshire Freeway to the South Carolina state line. It has a projected price tag of $3.7 billion, making it the most expensive project in NCDOT history, Division Engineer Brett Canipe said. This means a fully public financing model is not possible.

“The scope and magnitude, it’s impossible to build these new lanes without reconstructing what’s already there,” Canipe said.

There are $600 million in state funds available, with an additional $100 million in bonus allocations. The I-485 toll project in south Charlotte landed $30 million, explained NCDOT’s Carly Swanson.

With the approval to move forward, CRTPO is allowed to rescind support at any point up until NCDOT publicly advertises a Request for Qualifications, expected to occur in August 2025.

On Monday, Charlotte City Council voted unanimously to support the initiative.

“The truth is, we need to get answers to the questions we’re asking,” Driggs said “If we say no tonight, we’re never going to know.”

Mecklenburg County’s rep Leigh Altman gave a no vote following the commissioners’ decision the night before, but said she personally believed moving forward was the right choice.

“I’m duty-bound by the way I’m charged by board, but I hope this will succeed. I do think it’s in our best interest to take the next step and correct our mistakes from the I-77 North contract.”

All three north Mecklenburg towns — Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson — voted against the motion. However, Mooresville — where the northern express lanes end — supported it.

What’s next?

NCDOT will partner with a CRTPO working group to define objectives and priorities prior to beginning the procurement process. This includes optimizing use of express and general-purpose lanes.

NCDOT will provide draft key terms to the full CRTPO board at least 60 days prior to the Request for Qualifications advertisement.

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