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CHARLOTTE, NC — The NC DOT is defending the controversial I-77 toll lane. Officials say the hot lane would not only ease congestion, but could indirectly create as many as 20,000 jobs over the next few years.
NC DOT Secretary Tony Tata stresses drivers shouldn’t worry about the tolls being too expensive. He says public input will help to decide the cost.
“Have the rates commensurate to what people will pay. You don’t charge $10 for a gallon of milk because nobody will pay that,” said Tata.
NC DOT says the Charlotte region has grown by 135 percent in the last 25 years. Traffic on I-77 has increased 20 percent in the last 5 years.
