In 7-4 vote, Charlotte City Council puts controversial I-77 toll lanes project back in motion
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte City Council voted Monday night to change its position, again, on the controversial I-77 South toll lanes project. The four council members voted to halt the project were Renee Perkins Johnson, JD Mazuera Arias, LaWana Mayfield, and Victoria Watlington. Dimple Ajmera, James Mitchell, Dante Anderson, Malcolm Graham, Joi Mayo, Kimberly Owens and Ed Driggs voted to move it forward.
This reversal comes after intense pressure from state lawmakers, who threatened Charlotte with a massive $64 million financial penalty if the city did not restore its support for the project.
The financial stakes did little to calm the intense emotions inside the room. Following the vote, the packed room grew increasingly unruly, shouting over city leaders. The uproar forced Mayor Robert Harrington to take action, and multiple people were escorted out of the chamber by security, as the mayor threatened to clear the entire room to restore order.
During public comments, one woman told the council, “Here’s what I can’t wrap my brain around. Why are we being asked to make a $4 billion multi-decade decision when we still don’t have answers about money, legal justifications, the alternatives and the procurement process? Don’t let the pressure change the question. Don’t let the price tag change the facts and don’t let concerns about what Raleigh might do, whether that’s the airport, our transportation funding or our relationship with the state, become the reason you’ve stopped asking the questions that still need answers. Pressure is not an answer. You were elected to represent Charlotte.”
The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization will take a final vote on Wednesday. The City of Charlotte’s decision will count for 42 percent of the vote.
