Second survey seeks public’s suggestions for easing congested spots on I-77

A study of solutions to the traffic-congested Interstate 77 corridor is asking for more of the public’s input.

More than 15,000 people responded to an initial survey for the Beyond 77 study, which is focused on the 68-mile interstate corridor between Statesville and Rock Hill, S.C. Forty percent of metro Charlotte’s population lives within three miles of I-77.

The initial survey helped planners identify 12 congestion areas, from N.C. 150 in Mooresville to the I-85 interchange near uptown Charlotte to the U.S. 21 bypass in Fort Mill, S.C.

The second survey asks respondents to rate the importance to them of a range of factors, such as road conditions and the ability to reliably reach a destination on time. It asks for the public’s experiences with congestion, speeding and other conditions, and for ideas on how to solve congestion in those 12 areas.

The study is intended to guide future decisions on planning, financing and building major improvements. Those could include more connections between major roads bordering I-77 or a renewed focus on alternatives such as light rail, more bus stops or bike lanes.

This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 12:50 PM.