Business Owner Pushes to Stop I-77 Toll Lanes

CHARLOTTE, NC — A local business owner wants to put the brakes on the I-77 toll lanes project.  He’s getting a lot of support for his threat to block construction with his car.

Joel Pfyffer owns Prosciutto’s Pizzeria & Pub in Cornelius.  He posted a message on Facebook asking others to join his protest.  He says he’s shocked by the response.

“It represents how the community feels,” said Pfyffer.  “I mean, this is our community; it’s not Raleigh, it’s not NC DOT, it’s our community.  We should be in control of how it happens, not somebody else.”

The toll lanes will run 26 miles from Uptown Charlotte to Mooresville.  Canceling the contract would cost the state about $245 million.