Around Town

A tale of toll roads: Should you pay to drive on I-77 and I-485?

By Jen Rothacker

The Story

As our roads continue to deteriorate and our traffic continues to increase, heated debate has arisen over adding toll roads to Charlotte highways. Two projects in particular are in the hot seat: Proposed toll lanes along I-77 in north Mecklenburg and proposed toll lanes in south Meck’s I-485.

We break down each project for you:

— I-77 tolls in north Charlotte —

The facts

– Addition of two toll lanes northbound and southbound on I-77, from the Brookshire Freeway in Charlotte to Exit 28 in Cornelius.

– Addition of one toll lane in each direction from Exit 28 to Exit 36.

– Total of 26 miles of toll roads

– Pricetag: $655 million

– Private contractor Cintra will pay most of the costs. For 50 years, it will also maintain and operate the lanes while collecting most of the toll revenue.

– Toll amounts not yet set, but it may feature dynamic pricing that changes as traffic ebbs and flows

DOT likes because …

– Lanes will ease congestion

– Gives drivers 3 options: 1) General purpose lanes for free 2) Express lanes for free with three or more people in the car  3) Toll roads for pay

– As a private/public project, toll road will wind up being cheaper to build and faster to completion

– The project is supposed to create nearly 10,000 jobs

Critics don’t like because …

– The most vocal critic is citizens group Widen I77.

– It argues that it’s cheaper to build a general purpose lane (a lane everybody can use for free)

– It’s against state law to convert a general purpose lane into a toll lane

– Under the contract, the DOT wouldn’t build any additional free lanes on that stretch. Widen I77 says that will create congestion on 77 and on back roads.

What’s next

– Widen I77 has raised $20,000 to sue for an injunction..

– A judge in Alamance County will hear legal motions in the case Tuesday.

— I-485 tolls in South Charlotte —

The facts

– DOT opened an additional lane of general use (free) on I-485 late last year, from South Boulevard to Rea Road.

– Cost: $82 million

– Everybody was so happy – but then they realized that traffic was still pretty slow at rush hour.

– But, then everybody noticed that there was this extra lane in each direction that wasn’t yet opened.

– It would only take some striping and removing of cones to make it useable.

– DOT said no, those lanes were being saved to convert into toll roads in 5 years.

DOT likes because … 

– Sure, it would be great to use that extra lane now BUT, the federal government prohibits states from converting free, general purpose lanes into toll lanes.

– Eventually, the state plans to build a toll lane from Rea to 74. Motorists would be guaranteed minimum 45 mph.

Critics say …

– There’s no organized group down south, but just about everybody is like, “Say what?” as they idle in traffic.

– It’s been proposed that the extra lane be made into a carpool lane, which under law CAN be converted to a toll lane later.

– DOT folk say it wouldn’t be worth the effort.

What’s next

– The Charlotte City Council has asked DOT to look into this option.

– A decision could be made this month.

Bonus toll road

This one isn’t as controversial right now, but it’s on the schedule: Express lanes on U.S. 74, from uptown to Wallace Lane. Busway would be converted to toll road. To start in 2017.

Photos: John D Simmons / Charlotte Observer

This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 12:34 AM with the headline "A tale of toll roads: Should you pay to drive on I-77 and I-485?."

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