Snarled traffic on I-77 to cost toll lane contractor $1.3 million

A failure to reopen closed lanes in the Interstate 77 toll lane construction zone Tuesday will cost the contractor $1.3 million.

The N.C. Department of Transportation, in a letter to contractor I-77 Mobility Partners, said road closures on I-77 North weren’t removed until 7:45 a.m. Tuesday. Ramps on the I-277 east and westbound ramps weren’t opened until 8:05 a.m. Lanes in the area were supposed to be opened by 5 a.m.

DOT said it would withhold damages of $1.3 million from its next partial pay estimate to the company.

I-77 North was a mess Tuesday, with traffic backed up for miles, for two reasons. A pedestrian’s death blocked lanes at the Clanton Road exit while overnight construction work at Brookshire Freeway took longer than expected.

A DOT spokeswoman said Tuesday that equipment on the Brookshire site was not sufficient to clean the pavement following overnight construction activity.

“We regret the traffic issues caused by the extended lane closures on Tuesday morning. We regularly review procedures with our lead contractor so that they follow proper protocols,” I-77 Mobility Partners said in a statement.

This story was originally published May 18, 2017 at 9:08 AM with the headline "Snarled traffic on I-77 to cost toll lane contractor $1.3 million."