Charlotte residents with I-77 South concerns can now tell NCDOT what they think
While Charlotte City Council intends to ask the state to pause the controversial Interstate 77 South toll lane project, the N.C. Department of Transportation wants to hear stories from drivers on the corridor.
TThe agency put out a request Thursday for driver’s thoughts on I-77, according to a news release. It’s a community survey NCDOT will use as part of the public engagement period for the toll lane project.
The callout is for those who “live, work or travel” the southern half of I-77.
The five-minute survey asks users what their priorities are, including options such as toll pricing, environmental impact, safety, transparency from project leaders and impact to home values and business.
The final question states “Sentiment: Are safety, congestion, and travel improvements essential?” It’s a yes or no question.
About the I-77 South toll lane project
NCDOT is planning to add toll lanes to an 11-mile stretch of I-77 from uptown to the South Carolina border.
Residents along I-77 and environmentalist have all agreed that with Charlotte’s growth, something needs to happen to the corridor and other transportation options need to improve across the city.
The basis behind the I-77 project is to reduce traffic and crashes. So yes, safety, congestion and improvements would be essential.
But nearby residents have asked, essential at what cost?
The project’s design, which involves elevating the highway in the uptown neighborhoods, has alarmed residents and environmentalists. The elevated design will affect 11 parks and several greenways, including the complete removal of Wilmore Park.
Several homes in the Wilmore neighborhood will also be taken via eminent domain. In one proposed map design, exit ramps for the express lanes go through homes in the Wilmore neighborhood.
And while, with the elevated design, homes in some historically Black neighborhoods including Oaklawn Park, and Wesley Heights will be saved, residents there say the highway would still impact their quality of life and encroach on neighborhoods.
What’s next for I-77 plans?
With the survey, NCDOT is continuing to request opinions from Charlotteans.
NCDOT delayed a request for proposals to potential developers until June. And in March the agency opened a community engagement center, which has seen over 150 visitors, according to NCDOT.
The agency also will be hosting a series of map discussions and listening sessions. But it seems Charlotte City Council wants more community commitment from NCDOT.
A proposed resolution from council would ask that NCDOT pause any “irreversible actions” on the I-77 project until it satisfies a list of its requests.
Those requests include a design analysis reevaluation with a focus on displacement and community benefits. Council also wants NCDOT to reanalyze variables such as traffic volume shifts, routes, toll pricing and socioeconomic data.
Until NCDOT complies, the proposed resolution says Charlotte would withhold its support from any tolling or contract authorizations.
Council will discuss the proposal on May 11.
If Charlotte withdraws its support of the funding for the project, N.C. Board of Transportation at-large member Stephen Rosenburgh said there would be consequences.
The state has already spent $50 million on the project, according to Rosenburgh. If officials back out now, he said the NCDOT board will question whether it should support other projects for the Charlotte area in the future.
What are your thoughts on I-77 and the I-77 South toll project? Let us know at dmathurin@charlotteobserver.com
