Appeals Panel Will Hear Arguments in I-77 Toll Lane Lawsuit

CORNELIUS, NC – Toll lane opponents will get another chance to make their case in Raleigh Wednesday.

In front of a State Appeals Court, lawyers for Widen I-77 will again argue why they think the I-77 toll lane project is unconstitutional.

“On balance, the project does not serve the public interest,” says Widen I-77 founder Kurt Naas.

Naas says that’s because Spanish-firm Cintra would control the lanes and set toll rates.

“What we maintain is that 50 years of private tolling, allowing a private company to profit off of public misery, doesn’t benefit the public,” Naas says.

The appeal comes after a judge threw out Widen I-77’s lawsuit last year.

Previous courts have found that the state had the legal right to sign the toll lane contract, regardless of whether it was a good deal or not.

Naas says he had hoped for action from new Governor Roy Cooper, but so far he says the state’s position doesn’t seem to have changed.

“We were hoping that the Governor would be more receptive to hearing our case. In fact, nobody’s met with the Governor that I’m aware of to talk about cancelling the contract,” Naas says.