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For years, Charlotte has compared itself to its closest southern city, Atlanta. But a new peer city has emerged as one of Charlotte's top rivals in the wake of the pandemic and revival of corporate relocations: Dallas.

Why it matters: Charlotte is increasingly going head-to-head with Dallas in economic development deals worth thousands of jobs and billions in investment, particularly as Dallas comes for the Queen City's banking crown, dubbing itself "Y'all Street."

"They're trying to compare themselves to an alternative to New York City or Wall Street," Charlotte Center City Partners' Michael Smith says. "And we're going to have to compete."

The big picture: Charlotte, home to Bank of America's headquarters, is the No. 2 banking hub in the country, based on assets.

But the Dallas metro has quickly moved up to the second-largest hub for financial workers, behind only New York, with about 382,000 professionals compared to Charlotte's 125,000. (Although the Dallas labor force is 3x larger than Charlotte's.)

Case in point: Scotiabank, one of the largest banks in North America, last year chose Dallas over Charlotte for its $60 million U.S. regional hub with 1,020 jobs, even though Charlotte offered $19 million more in local and state incentives, CBJ reported.

North Carolina was hoping the aggressive incentives would offset "differences" from Texas in operational costs, such as construction and taxes, according to state documents.

State of play: Charlotte's intensifying rivalry with Dallas has grown in the post-COVID era. Before the pandemic, Charlotte's primary competition was Nashville, Austin, and sometimes Tampa and Atlanta, Tracy Dodson of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance tells Axios.

As corporate relocations ramp up, companies — especially West Coast ones — are eyeing talent in East Coast markets like Charlotte, Dodson says, whereas years ago they might have zeroed in on central places like Texas.

On average, 157 people move to the Charlotte region every day, according to the Alliance. More than two-thirds of them are of prime working age, 20 to 34 years old. Charlotte added more jobs than any other metro except New York City last year, the Ledger reported, citing Labor Department statistics.

What we're watching: Dallas, which now has three stock exchanges, has grown as a financial hub over the last 25 years.

Goldman Sachs is building a $500 million tower downtown for more than 5,000 employees. Wells Fargo, which has its largest employee base in Charlotte, recently expanded in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with a new campus for 4,500 workers.

Follow the money: Many businesses choose Texas because there's no state corporate or income tax. Texas has snuck up on North Carolina on CNBC's best states for business list, a ranking NC rigorously boasts about.

However, the Alliance in Charlotte argues that "it makes up for it with heavy property taxes."

Mecklenburg County has one of the lowest property tax rates (about 0.75%), while Dallas County has one of the highest (about 1.7%). If you own an office tower, that roughly 1% difference can cost you millions.

Economic developers here point to Dallas' sprawl as one of its disadvantages, and tout Charlotte's shorter commute times and dense business center.

The other side: Mike Rosa, SVP of economic development at the Dallas Regional Chamber (think Dallas' version of Dodson) says when pitching Dallas, the Chamber talks about the region's diversity of sectors, talent pool with expertise in those various industries, its central U.S. location, and over 40 Fortune 1000 headquarters, many of which are willing to vouch for Dallas.

Dallas and Charlotte both offer comparatively affordable costs of living.

Dallas' average rent is $100 less than Charlotte's at $1,700, and the median home sales price is about $2,000 less at $432,400, Charlotte's State of the Center City report shows.

"We don't have a beach. We don't have a mountain. But we're prosperous," Rosa says. "You put a little extra jingle in your pocket, and you get on one of those American Airlines flights, like I know you can do in Charlotte, and go to a lot of places."

The intrigue: To grow its economy, Charlotte's next move is to essentially pull a Dallas by fostering growth in new economic sectors.

In particular, Charlotte is growing its tech and life sciences sectors with the development of the North Tryon Tech Hub and The Pearl, respectively. Both are prominent sectors in Dallas.

The bottom line: "I don't want to call us an underdog," Dodson says, "but we're this smaller market that is now showing up against bigger competitors. And hopefully, we'll see the trend to where we're winning these projects."

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Dallas is coming for Charlotte's banking crown

Charlotte is increasingly going head-to-head with Dallas in economic development deals worth thousands of jobs and billions in investment.

City park with green grass and stone sculptures in foreground, surrounded by tall modern glass and concrete skyscrapers under a cloudy blue sky.

Charlotte skyline as seen from Romare Bearden Park in Uptown. Photo: Laura Barrero Tousley/Axios

For years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/25/jobs-announcements-north-carolina-jetzero-incentives" data-vars-content-id="028f53a9-db3d-4697-8315-d06c29e51322" data-vars-headline="Dallas is coming for Charlotte&#x27;s banking crown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/25/jobs-announcements-north-carolina-jetzero-incentives" target="_self">Charlotte</a> has compared itself to its closest southern city, Atlanta. But a new peer city has emerged as one of Charlotte&#x27;s top rivals in the wake of the pandemic and revival of corporate relocations: Dallas.Why it matters: Charlotte is increasingly going head-to-head with Dallas in economic development deals worth thousands of jobs and billions in investment, particularly as Dallas comes for the Queen City&#x27;s banking crown, dubbing itself &quot;Y&#x27;all Street.&quot;

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Charlotte-area Democrats and some unaffiliated voters who opt into voting blue will essentially decide many local elections in the primaries held over the next few weeks.

Why it matters: With so few Republicans running in Mecklenburg County, the nominees for offices like sheriff and most county commission seats will be unopposed in the November general election.

How it works: Early voting is Feb. 12 through Feb. 28. Voters will cast ballots in their respective parties. During early voting, you can vote at any of the early sites in your county and register to vote while you're there if you aren't already. Find locations and times here.

Primary Election Day, the last opportunity to vote, is Tuesday, March 3, 2026. On this day only, registered voters must go to their assigned polling place.

Check your registration and find your sample ballot here.

Bring your photo ID. A North Carolina driver's license or another form listed here is acceptable.

The winning candidates will advance to the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

This story will be updated as new information about candidates becomes available. An emoji next to a candidate's name indicates they're an incumbent.

State of play: Republican Sen. Thom Tillis chose not to seek reelection. The Democratic nominee in this race will likely face the Republican front-runner, Michael Whatley, the former chair of the Republican National Committee.

Roy Cooper, North Carolina's popular two-time former governor, is the Democratic favorite to challenge the GOP for the open Senate seat.

Orrick Quick is a pastor who previously ran for High Point City Council.

Justin Dues describes himself as an "anti-establishment, reform-focused" candidate.

Robert Colon is another repeat U.S. Senate candidate, focused on crime. His slogan is "Creating a Safer America For Everyone."

Map showing counties in North Carolina near South Carolina, including Mecklenburg, Union, Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Robeson, Hoke, Moore, Lee, and Harnett counties with major towns and highways.

State of play: The nominee will face the incumbent Mark Harris, a Republican.

Colby Watson is a federal contractor whose issues include pushing corporate investors out of the housing market and improving the health care system, which he calls "criminal."

Jesse Oppenheim is an attorney for a health care software company. Public safety is among his priorities, and he wants funding for first responders and stronger gun background checks "while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners."

🏛️ Alma Adams is in her fifth full term in Congress, representing most of Charlotte.

Adams, 79, told WBTV her doctor gave her the green light to run again for a sixth term.

State of play: This seat is currently held by North Carolina's former House Speaker Tim Moore, who is seeking reelection in the Republican primary.

Brent Caldwell, a real estate attorney, says President Trump's trade policies have failed. Caldwell wants to "advance an economic vision that prioritizes working people."

LaKesha Womack is the founder of a consulting firm for small businesses. Her top issues are affordable health care, economic mobility and education, including public school funding.

Ahmid Kargbo wants Medicare for all, a high-speed rail network and to "end the Genocide in Palestine," according to his website.

Map showing counties in various colors with numbers: Catawba 45 orange, Lincoln 44 pink, Davidson 30 purple, Mecklenburg 38 brown, Gaston 43 blue, and others outlined in blue and black.

Map: North Carolina State Board of Elections

State of play: This seat is held by Republican Vickie Sawyer, who is seeking reelection in the Republican primary.

Colorful map section showing numbered districts within counties labeled Gaston, Mecklenburg, Lincoln, and Cabarrus, separated by thick blue boundaries with various pastel and bright colors.

🏛️ Nasif Majeed is seeking a fifth term. He's come under fire with his party for occasionally helping the GOP lock in enough votes to override Democratic Gov. Josh Stein's vetoes.

Veleria Levy is a health care consultant who says she has experience fighting bills that target "trans youth, reproductive freedom, and access to care."

Tucker Neal is reportedly now endorsing Levy. His name will still appear on the ballot.

🏛️ Carla Cunningham, a seven-term representative, is another Charlotte Democrat sometimes rebuked by her own party for occasionally helping Republicans override Gov. Stein's vetoes. She voted for a bill that requires sheriffs to comply with ICE. Explaining her decision, she made a controversial speech, stating, "All cultures are not equal."

Cunningham has also been in the news for going head-to-head with Sheriff Garry McFadden. She and four of McFadden's former employees filed a (now dismissed) court petition accusing him of misconduct and extortion, and attempting to remove him from office.

Vermanno Bowman, a former military police officer and a member of Indivisible Charlotte, challenged Cunningham in the 2024 primary. He says he wants to hold Duke Energy accountable. (Cunningham voted to terminate a mandate for Duke Energy to reduce carbon emissions.)

Rodney Sadler has accused Cunningham of laying the groundwork for Border Patrol's Charlotte immigration raids in November by passing House Bill 318, which requires sheriffs to comply with ICE detainers. He's a minister who worked with the Rev. William Barber's Moral Monday movement.

He has the notable endorsement of Gov. Stein. It's rare for the governor to get involved in Democratic primaries.

🏛️ Garry McFadden has faced numerous allegations of running a toxic workplace and an unsafe jail. He made headlines throughout 2025 for publicly sparring with ICE, and Republicans accused him of being the reason Border Patrol targeted Charlotte after not honoring detainers.

McFadden has become a fixture in local law enforcement throughout his four-decade career. He gained recognition as a detective for starring in the reality TV show "I Am Homicide" in 2016. Former President Biden honored him with the President's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Go deeper: North Carolina lawmakers question Mecklenburg County sheriff's competency in fiery hearing

Rodney Collins worked for the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office for 30 years. Now retired, he says he wants to reestablish a healthy workplace culture at the sheriff's office and address vacancies.

Antwain Nance worked in the Mecklenburg County Detention Center for two years a decade ago and has since represented a labor union. He views his outside experience as a positive qualification. He wants to reopen the county's youth detention facility and involve deputies in on-the-ground law enforcement with CMPD, he told the Charlotte Observer.

Ricky Robbins is a sergeant with CMPD and has taught criminal justice at Central Piedmont Community College. He says his priorities are to keep inmates and detention officers safe and hire and retain staff. He has star-powered endorsements from Carolina Panthers players Chuba Hubbard and Derek Brown and former linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners

State of play: Residents will elect three at-large commissioners, representing all of Mecklenburg County, and one representative to their district.

Map divided into colored districts numbered 1 to 6, with smaller numbered sections inside each colored zone: blue, pink, green, yellow, red, and light blue areas represent distinct regions.

🏛️ Leigh Altman, an attorney and the commissioners' vice chair, is running for a fourth term. She has been influential in the passage of the county's transportation tax increase as a member of the Metropolitan Transit Commission.

🏛️ Arthur Griffin, who has served since 2022, was previously a senior vice president for McGraw-Hill Education.

🏛️ Yvette Townsend-Ingram was first elected in 2024, upsetting longtime incumbent Pat Cotham.

Ingram, who was arrested for a DWI in May 2024 during her first term, has an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to comply with the community service requirements of her plea deal.

Felicia Thompkins has run for county commission before. She says she'd prioritize mental health services, aging-in-place policies and transit access.

Olivia Scott previously ran for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.

Heather Morrow was arrested while protesting Charlotte's immigration raids in November. ICE claimed she tried to jump on an agent's back, but a bystander video released later did not show that. Her felony charge was dismissed, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Toni Emehel ran for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education in 2025.

Sharif Hannan says he would challenge public-private partnerships to ensure taxpayers aren't footing the bill. He also questions the county's first responder training facility in Matthews, dubbed by critics "cop city."

Leslie Allen says she will read budgets "line by line."

Nichel Dunlap-Thomas is a former CATS operator who's advocating for a safer transportation system.

State of play: Four-term commissioner Elaine Powell is not running again.

Morris "Mac" McAdoo, founder of McAdoo Law Group in Uptown, is a prosecutor who has advocated for people with disabilities.

Adam Pasiak is the former chair of the Democrats of North Mecklenburg.

Jessica Finkel describes herself as a climate and racial justice organizer and is a former secretary of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP.

🏛️ Vilma Leake is a longtime commissioner, first elected in 2008. In 2024, she made headlines for calling Chair George Dunlap "Black Donald Trump" after he gave another commissioner time to speak at a meeting over her.

Mo Drayton is the former Mecklenburg County Democratic Party executive director who resigned, comparing her experience at the organization to that of "professional Black women during the Jim Crow era." She spent 20 years of her career in Atrium Health leadership.

🏛️ George Dunlap is a longtime commissioner, serving six of his 17 years as chair. He says he's a strong supporter of business investment grants and preparing students for the workforce (including non-public school students), having served on the board of education for over 13 years.

Phil Carey, the owner of a property management company, hears appeals on assessed property values as a member of the county's Board of Equalization and Review. He says he's running because "District 3 deserves leadership that shows up."

State of play: Democratic Judge Allegra Collins is leaving her seat. The advancing Democrat will face Craig Collins, who has no opposition in the Republican primary.

James Weldon Whalen is an appellate attorney in the Department of Justice. His campaign website says he "helped ensure every lawful vote counted in Justice Allison Riggs' Supreme Court race."

Christine Marie Walczyk has served as a district court trial judge in Wake County for 18 years and previously represented small businesses with their transactional and litigation needs.

Mecklenburg County Superior Court District 26C

George Guise is a lawyer with over 35 years of experience. He's done pro bono work for Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. He taught poverty law at Davidson and served as the college's general counsel.

Caleb Newman is a senior assistant district attorney in Rowan County.

Mecklenburg County District Court Seat 18

🏛️ Cecilia Oseguera was appointed to the bench by Gov. Cooper in 2022 and elected later that year. Before that, she served for 17 years as an assistant federal public defender.

Habekah Cannon is the managing attorney of her own law firm and serves as secretary of the North Carolina chapter of the National Conference of Black Lawyers.

Sample partisan ballot listing candidates for US Senate, House District 12, NC Court of Appeals, NC House District 106, NC District Court, Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, and Sheriff.

A sample ballot for a registered Democrat in north Mecklenburg County. Screenshot: State Board of Elections

Elections 2026: Charlotte Democratic primary guide

Early voting is Feb. 12 through Feb. 28, and Primary Election Day is March 3.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper gives a speech during a campaign event

Former Gov. Roy Cooper is running for U.S. Senate. Photo: Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images

Charlotte-area Democrats and some unaffiliated voters who opt into voting blue will essentially decide many local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/12/19/nc-election-triangle-republican-democrat-primary" data-vars-content-id="45770166-6a22-4f56-bd09-31cb6e30754e" data-vars-headline="Elections 2026: Charlotte Democratic primary guide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/12/19/nc-election-triangle-republican-democrat-primary" target="_self">elections</a> in the primaries held over the next few weeks.Why it matters: With so few Republicans running in Mecklenburg County, the nominees for offices like sheriff and most county commission seats will be unopposed in the November general election.

Election

Politics

Sheriff Garry McFadden is running for reelection during one of the most volatile periods of his career, as he faces a state investigation into misconduct allegations and national GOP scrutiny over his handling of ICE detainers, prompting the Trump administration's November Border Patrol crackdown in Charlotte.

Why it matters: In a usually quiet Democratic primary, McFadden has drawn intense challenges from three opponents, all of whom have law enforcement backgrounds and one who has NFL power behind his campaign.

With no Republicans running, whoever wins this primary will effectively take office.

The big picture: This is also the first sheriff's election since August's fatal stabbing on Charlotte's light rail.

As a top elected official in local law enforcement (the CMPD chief is hired), the sheriff has taken some of the most heat from Republicans who've condemned Charlotte Democratic officials as "soft on crime" since the incident.

Reality check: The Mecklenburg County sheriff oversees the jail, court and civil processes such as serving warrants and eviction papers. Deputies will conduct traffic stops but aren't involved in criminal investigations, the city's public transit system or 911 response calls.

The list of controversies surrounding McFadden includes:

The SBI is investigating McFadden over allegations, detailed in a since-dismissed petition, that he threatened a state lawmaker over her vote on an ICE bill. The petition also accused the sheriff of directing deputies to drive people to strip clubs in county cars. (McFadden says the petition stemmed from the friends of one of his opponents.)

McFadden's record of jail deaths has doubled that of his predecessors.

His leadership was compared to that of a "third-world dictatorship" in an ex-deputy's scathing resignation letter.

During a hearing before state lawmakers this month, McFadden failed to name the branches of government. He says he misinterpreted the question.

"They created ... the most recognizable African American sheriff in America," McFadden says.

State of play: McFadden may have a higher chance of reelection, going against three challengers who could split the vote. 

Ricky Robbins has spent over 30 years with CMPD, supervising SWAT, homicide investigations and traffic safety.

He's also a security guard for the Panthers and has endorsements from Chuba Hubbard, Derek Brown and Luke Kuechly. Donations from players helped him raise nearly $93,000 — by far the most in the race.

Robbins' priority, he says, is improving the office's culture, reopening the juvenile detention center and preventing jail deaths.

Rodney Collins rose through the ranks in a 30-year career at the sheriff's office to chief deputy, until 2024. He describes his time under McFadden as "tumultuous."

Collins says he'd reset the culture by modeling "competent and professional leadership."

Collins wants Mecklenburg County to reopen its juvenile detention center, but he believes the state should pay to operate the facility.

Antwain Nance worked in the Mecklenburg County jail from 2013 to 2015. His first objective, he says, would be making the jail safer by ensuring proper procedures are in place.

Currently, Nance is a union representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

He wants to use the juvenile detention center, once reopened, to provide direction to lost young people by teaching them trades and skills.

McFadden says that if reelected, he wants to build on the work he's done, such as establishing mental health and reentry programs.

McFadden credits himself with ending a "good old boy system." He says since taking office, he's had an open-door policy and even hosts most deputies at his home for dinners.

McFadden has said he would need to recruit at least 96 staff members to reopen the juvenile detention center. The office is already struggling with normal hiring.

What's next: On Tuesday at 7pm, Axios is joining WBTV for a live debate. Tune in here.

Early voting is open through Feb. 28. Primary Election Day is March 3.

Go deeper: Elections 2026: Charlotte Democratic primary guide

Watch full WBTV debate between Mecklenburg County sheriff candidates here

Why Mecklenburg County sheriff is the most intense race on the ballot

Sheriff Garry McFadden is running for reelection during one of the most volatile periods of his career.

Four portraits of African American men: first in blue suit and tie, second in dark suit with pink-striped tie, third in green sheriff uniform, and fourth wearing glasses and a blue tie.

Left to right: Robbins, Collins, McFadden, Nance. Photos: Courtesy of the candidates

Sheriff <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Garry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/12/north-carolina-democrat-primary-voter-guide" data-vars-content-id="6dba2005-00b3-43eb-afb6-f96e33d7a2d2" data-vars-headline="Why Mecklenburg County sheriff is the most intense race on the ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/12/north-carolina-democrat-primary-voter-guide" target="_self">Garry</a> McFadden is running for reelection during one of the most volatile periods of his career, as he faces a state investigation into misconduct allegations and national GOP scrutiny over his handling of ICE detainers, prompting the Trump administration&#x27;s November Border Patrol crackdown in Charlotte.Why it matters: In a usually quiet Democratic primary, McFadden has drawn intense challenges from three opponents, all of whom have law enforcement backgrounds and one who has NFL power behind his campaign.

The organized resistance to the N.C. Department of Transportation's multibillion-dollar I-77 South toll lanes through the Uptown area could upend the project.

Why it matters: Seven of 11 Charlotte City Council members now favor delaying a project most of them previously supported. The shift speaks to the strength of opposition to the toll lanes that would inevitably impact historically Black communities along the corridor.

The latest: City council's transportation committee is expected to discuss next steps at its March 5 meeting.

State of play: The history behind this project and the city's influence is complicated.

In October 2024, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization gave NCDOT the OK to move forward with the project using a private developer. NCDOT has committed up to $600 million, and the private partner is expected to finance the remaining costs.

A similar partnership was done in the north with infrastructure company Cintra.

Delegates from Mecklenburg County and other municipalities rejected the plan over gripes about the northern I-77 tolls toward the Lake Norman towns, while the Charlotte City Council unanimously supported it.

As the most populous city, Charlotte holds the most power (31 of 68 weighted votes) on the CRTPO.

But that was before NCDOT released maps showing the proposed infrastructure encroaching on people's properties, parkland, and the historic Pineville Cemetery.

"The community hadn't seen any meaningful plans," Charlotte council member Malcolm Graham tells Axios. "They pulled a fast one on me."

Between the lines: Council member Ed Driggs, the city's representative on the CRTPO, said any halt to this project would actually be a reversal of the original CRTPO vote from 2014. He says that it may set a bad precedent if the city interferes with the past CRTPO board's decision.

"The project in some form is going to get built," Driggs said, adding that it must get done in a way that causes as few disruptions as possible.

Driving the news: Seven city council members are calling to pause the project: Graham, James Mitchell, Dimple Ajmera and Victoria Watlington, as well as freshman members Joi Mayo, JD Mazuera Arias and Kimberly Owens, who did not partake in the 2024 vote.

Graham, who represents west Charlotte, emphasizes that he and other council members are not out to stop the project entirely, but rather pause it to make time for more conversations with NCDOT.

"We can't talk to the engineers anymore. They are taking orders," Graham tells Axios.

Catch up quick: As a compromise of sorts, NCDOT recently announced it would build the new lanes above ground for 1.5 miles. The entire express lanes project will stretch 11 miles from the Brookshire Freeway to the South Carolina line.

The elevated lanes, built over or to the side of the existing interstate, would reduce impacts on neighborhoods like McCrorey Heights, Wesley Heights and Biddleville. NCDOT said this redesign avoids 41 homes that a traditional widening would threaten.

"I don't think we want to put a cement and steel structure ... on the edge of our Uptown," he adds.

NCDOT's elevated-lane olive branch has not silenced the other critics either, whose worries range from noise to air pollution.

Sustain Charlotte, in a press release signed by some council members, is advocating for NCDOT to pursue rapid transit along I-77 rather than toll lanes. This could mean turning existing roadways or the shoulder into bus-only lanes, the organization's leader Shannon Binns tells Axios.

NCDOT has stressed, sometimes in bold text, that the $600 million assigned to this project, "[p]er state law ... cannot be transferred to a standalone transit project."

Proponents of the express lanes expansion, such as the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, maintain that the project is necessary to manage the region's rapid population growth.

"Widening roads doesn't help solve the [growth] problem," Binns argues. He calls it "akin to buying bigger pants but not changing your diet."

What's next: Council could ask the CRTPO to request that NCDOT delay issuing its initial RFP, set to go out this spring, to allow time to study other options.

As of now, construction is still expected to begin after 2029. An NCDOT spokesperson tells Axios the design draft is 10%-15% complete.

The spokesperson told Axios developer teams will be "incentivized to further reduce impacts," and that designs will be reviewed for safety, cost and feasibility.

Charlotte leaders push to pause I-77 toll lanes — but will it matter?

City council is expected to revisit I-77 tolls in March.

Road signs directing to Interstate 77 and 277 with arrows pointing right, a no parking sign with towing info, and a green airplane symbol sign next to a city street with buildings.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="organized resistance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/05/ncdot-elevated-i-77-express-lanes" data-vars-content-id="947ee2b1-ec32-4e17-8fe3-821be2905aa5" data-vars-headline="Charlotte leaders push to pause I-77 toll lanes — but will it matter?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/05/ncdot-elevated-i-77-express-lanes" target="_self">organized resistance</a> to the N.C. Department of Transportation&#x27;s multibillion-dollar I-77 South toll lanes through the Uptown area could upend the project.Why it matters: Seven of 11 Charlotte City Council members now favor delaying a project most of them previously supported. The shift speaks to the strength of opposition to the toll lanes that would inevitably impact historically Black communities along the corridor.

Alexandria Sands

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