Toll lanes for Independence Boulevard delayed. When should drivers expect work to begin?
Construction of toll lanes on traffic-clogged Independence Boulevard in Charlotte has been delayed by four years, with work now set to begin in 2030 on the stretch from Interstate 485 in Matthews to just west of Idlewild Road in Charlotte, according to North Carolina’s new 2024-2033 transportation improvement plan.
No dates for acquiring property or starting construction on the second segment, Idlewild Road to I-277 have been set, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. NCDOT plans to convert bus lanes to toll or “express” lanes on that 5-mile stretch, according to the plan.
The state originally planned to begin buying right of way for the 5-mile stretch from I-277 to Idlewild Road in 2024 and begin construction in 2026, according to the NCDOT project page for that stretch.
For the segment from west of Idlewild Road to the town of Matthews, the NCDOT’s recently released draft of the 2024-2033 transportation improvement plan bumps the start of acquiring right of way to 2027 and the beginning of construction to 2030.
The dates “are preliminary and subject to change,” NCDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Thompson said in an email.
Thompson blamed the delay on the rising cost of materials and labor.
“It’s important to note this is not a cash balance issue, but a programming issue due to the cost escalation many industries are experiencing,” she said.
“Improvements to the U.S. 74 corridor are a priority for the N.C. Department of Transportation,” Thompson said.
A completion date is still to be determined, NCDOT officials said.
More plans for US 74
The state plans to convert the bus lanes on Independence Boulevard between I-277 and Idlewild Road to two-way toll lanes, meaning one in each direction, according to the NCDOT project page.
Drivers will be able to enter and leave the toll lanes at various points along Independence. The state is still evaluating where to place those entrances and exits, officials said.
Highway planners also are considering adding a road to link the lanes with Albemarle Road in east Charlotte.
The toll lanes from I-277 to west of Idlewild Road would connect with up to $958 million in planned improvements to Independence Boulevard from west of Idlewild Road to I-485 in Matthews.
Improvements to Matthews
The stretch to Matthews will include another general purpose or “free” lane in each direction, totaling three general purpose lanes, plus an express lane and an auxiliary lane in each direction, according to NCDOT.
“Access along Independence Boulevard will shift,” according to the project page for the stretch to Matthews. “Interchanges or grade separated crossings at major intersecting roads, and all traffic signals on this section of Independence Boulevard will be removed.
“Additionally, one express (toll) lane will be constructed in each direction in the median of Independence Boulevard,” officials said, referring to the stretch of improvements from west of Idlewild Road to Matthews. “The project also includes short connections that will link roads that run parallel to Independence Boulevard at several locations.”
This story was originally published June 29, 2022 at 2:05 PM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story had incorrect information from the N.C. Department of Transportation regarding the projected start date for toll-lane work on Independence Boulevard from Interstate 277 to Idlewild Road.