Republican state Sen. Vickie Sawyer is circulating draft legislation that would require Charlotte and other Mecklenburg County municipalities to reimburse an estimated $60 million already spent on the I-77 toll lanes project.
Catch up quick: In a stunning reversal of a yearslong plan, Charlotte City Council rescinded its support of the toll lane project last month.
The regional transportation board then voted to kill the project, effectively passing on $700 million in state and other funds.
What's inside: The bill includes a clause that prevents the N.C. Department of Transportation from removing the toll lane project from its improvement plan until 2027. That could give the city time to rethink its decision.
Costs would include expenses for preliminary engineering, environmental studies, consultant fees and labor. The money would largely come from the city of Charlotte.
The bill prevents Mecklenburg County from using funds from the recently passed transportation sales tax to pay back the state.
