Controversial Toll Lane Project Approved

CHARLOTTE, NC — A controversial transportation plan that would add toll lanes to I-77, I-485 and US-74 has been approved by the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning board, despite bitter opposition.

Widen I-77, a group opposing the plan to add toll lanes to a 27-mile stretch of I-77, showed up in force Wednesday night for the board’s meeting.  The managed lanes are part of a 10-year construction plan that includes numerous other projects.

“I don’t care if you try to shove it down our throats for another two years,” said a Widen I-77 spokesperson.  “It is not going away.  It is dividing this city.  It is dividing this county.  It is dividing this region.”

“To have the kind of city that we want to be, it’s important for us to begin to look at transportation and a way to move people that are growing,” said Vi Lyles of Charlotte City Council.

The CRTPO voted 19-8 to approve the plan.  NC DOT says it can now submit the state transportation improvement program to the federal government.