Charlotte votes to rescind I-77 support. Now what?
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In a stunning late-night vote Monday, Charlotte City Council rescinded support for the I-77 South toll lanes project in its current form.
Why it matters: The 6-5 decision could significantly delay the highly scrutinized state project's path forward — or even kill it.
- "We're removing our support until further independent analysis and changes and community outreach are done to our satisfaction," council member Renee Johnson said. "My motion simply has teeth."
Yes, but: Charlotte City Council does not have unilateral power to stop the project. The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization does.
Flashback: In October 2024, with the city's super vote, the CRTPO gave NCDOT approval to move forward with the multibillion-dollar project using a private developer, as was done in the north.
- But that was before detailed maps came out showing homes displaced and parks intruded upon by roadway, fueling opposition.
- As the most populous city, Charlotte holds the most power (31 of 68 weighted votes) on the body.
- Mecklenburg County rejected the plan over concerns about the interstate's northern tolls, as did CRTPO board members representing Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Marvin, Matthews, Weddington and the Metropolitan Transit Commission.
Between the lines: Since the county and many towns were already against the tolls, they may now have the numbers to challenge the project's path forward.
- Mecklenburg County commissioner Leigh Altman told Axios she is "cautiously optimistic that the votes are there."
- "The time has really come that we explore non-managed lane options," Altman said. "I respectfully think that that has not been a priority of NCDOT, and that we need to get some independent subject matter experts."
Friction point: CRTPO's attorney has said it's too late for the board to reverse its vote to support the project.
- But outside legal experts from the Southern Environmental Law Center have argued the contrary.
- "The most important step the agency [NCDOT] can take now is to openly evaluate alternatives and remain genuinely open to a different outcome if the evidence supports it," Megan Kimball, attorney with the law center, tells Axios.
- NCDOT says the project will remain in its construction funding plan until CRTPO removes it.
- "It's important to remember that this is a regional project, and other municipalities in addition to Charlotte will need to weigh in," NCDOT said in a statement. "NCDOT stands ready to deliver a project for this growing part of the state that helps ease congestion and gridlock."
What they're saying: Opponents of the I-77 project celebrated the council's decision Tuesday.
- "[T]his moment creates an opportunity to pursue a more independent and comprehensive evaluation of alternatives," Shannon Binns of Sustain Charlotte said in a statement.
- "Now, we move from influencing systems to challenging systems that have historically viewed our communities as an afterthought," said Raki McGregor of the Black Political Caucus.
The other side: Charlotte council member Ed Driggs, who is also the CRTPO representative, warned his colleagues that their vote may doom the project. NCDOT has stressed that it needs private financing to afford a widening.
- "You can't ... stop this, kill it and then expect to restart in a couple of years. The $600 million is gone," Driggs said, referring to NCDOT's financial commitment to the project.
What's next: CRTPO's next meeting is May 20.