NC Senate candidate: Charlotte needs to reverse course on I-77 project | Opinion
For more than a decade, state and local officials have promised to address crippling congestion on I-77 South. After years of studies, public meetings, alternative analyses and compromise, commuters have little to show except more traffic and longer delays.
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The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) voted in 2014 to add managed express lanes on South I-77 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s long-range transportation plan. In October 2024, CRTPO approved moving forward with contract negotiations after comparative studies concluded that alternatives—such as adding general-purpose lanes or building a state-funded toll system—were financially unrealistic. Yet 19 months later, following public opposition, the Charlotte City Council and CRTPO abruptly reversed course and rescinded their support.
Few local or state officials are willing to publicly admit this decision was a mistake. They remember the political fallout surrounding the original I-77 express lanes north of Charlotte and the controversy that dominated the 2016 gubernatorial election.
Gov. Josh Stein recently said, “I trust the people of Charlotte to come up with a fix,” and urged everyone to “talk together around a table.” Hasn’t his Department of Transportation been leading that process for more than a decade?
Charlotte Mayor Robert Harrington is similarly non-committal, noting, “…I don’t want to prejudge the outcome…we need a process that allows this community to engage…” Is he unaware that NCDOT has facilitated numerous public meetings and amended its plans in response to community concerns?
Here’s where I stand.
The City Council and CRTPO should approve the project, as amended in response to community comments. To do otherwise risks billions in highway funding for Charlotte.
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We now have more than a decade of experience with the I-77 express lanes north of Charlotte. That experience should be used to negotiate a better agreement for South I-77 — one that protects taxpayers and commuters. NCDOT should reopen negotiations with potential bidders, using this prior experience, and move forward, creating continuous connectivity from Iredell to Ballantyne.
Leadership requires making difficult decisions. Gov. Stein should publicly support the recommendations of his transportation professionals and use his influence with state and local leaders to move the project forward. Mayor Harrington should similarly use his honeymoon period to sway the City Council.
Every year of delay means more time sitting in traffic, higher costs for businesses, slower freight movement, and billions in lost economic opportunity.
This is ultimately a test of leadership. After more than a decade of study, our officials know the options. Charlotte doesn’t need endless discussion.
It needs leaders willing to pick a lane.
The author is the Republican nominee for District 42 in the North Carolina Senate.
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