16 hours ago - News

I-77 South tolls will move forward

Alexandria Sands

Wide view of a large council chamber with a curved wooden dais and blue seats. Officials sit around, many raising their hands. Flags line the back wall as cameras and reporters fill the foreground. — Charlotte City Council votes in favor of reinstating support for the I-77 project. Screenshot: City of Charlotte

Charlotte City Council voted 7-4 Monday night to restore support for the I-77 South toll lanes, with Malcolm Graham and Joi Mayo reversing their May votes against the project.

Why it matters: The vote clears a major obstacle for the multi-billion-dollar project, which will add 11 miles of tolls from the South Carolina state line to Uptown, after months of paused planning work.

Inside the room: Chants of "No More Tolls!" broke out at Monday night's meeting. Mayor Rob Harrington, no more than three months on the job, had several people removed from the chamber.

Catch up quick: Charlotte wants to avoid having to repay NCDOT for the tens of millions the agency says were spent on design work so far. After the city withdrew support for the project, the state legislature passed the repayment law.

Also, NCDOT is promising "up to" $300 million in community investments, which could include grocery stores on the west side or recreational facilities.

What's next: The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization revotes Wednesday. Council member Ed Driggs will represent the City of Charlotte as the delegate and vote in favor of the project.

Charlotte has the most power — 31 of 74 weighted votes — on the CRTPO.

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I-77 South tolls will move forward

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