I-77 Toll Lanes: Taxes or Tolls?

January 12, 2016

WCCB Edge,

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Charlotte City Council green lights a plan to put toll lanes on I-77. City leaders voted 7 to 4 in favor of the plan during Monday night’s public hearing, which lasted until 11pm.

The late-night vote means the 10-year construction project will likely continue, despite backlash from the public and even hesitation from council members, frustrated with having to vote on the issue in the first place.

“It is not appropriate, nor does the City of Charlotte have resources to make the technical analysis to tell the state how they should manage their contract,” said Mayor Jennifer Roberts.

Many feel McCrory passed the buck to the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization. The CRTPO will determine next Wednesday if the project continues. City council controls nearly half of the votes on the council, which means the project will likely move forward.

Meanwhile, construction is underway, and the estimated price tag of canceling the project could cost up to $300 million.

So our Question of the Night: Would you rather have toll lanes or more taxes?

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