How on earth were Charlotte leaders surprised by the I-77 tolls plan? | Opinion
We need to make some changes in how our primary elections concerning four people vying for one position is determined. Explain to me how Garry McFadden received 34% of the vote and is declared the winner of the election for Mecklenburg sheriff. That means that 66% of voters did not want McFadden for sheriff. Headlines are saying that McFadden overcame serious issues about his recent years as sheriff by winning the election. Not really.
There should have been a runoff between the two highest vote getters to get the candidate that the majority of Mecklenburg’s citizens want as their sheriff.
Who wins with 34%? Not Charlotte.
Willa Hackney, Charlotte
Is it just me, or do others think the CRTPO in general and Mayor Lyles and the Charlotte City council in particular have all had their collective heads in the Piedmont sand about the particulars of the toll road? Since it’s been in discussion since 2014 and funded (in the dark, it seems), since 2024, they all now seem to not know much about the project.
Terry Keith, Charlotte
The other I-77 tolls
All of this controversy around the I-77 toll roads should have been avoided. There is no rational justification for replicating the disaster of the toll lanes in northern Mecklenburg Co. Nobody who has driven on I-77 through Huntersville up to Mooresville could possibly think they are a success! They have done nothing to alleviate traffic congestion and the prices during rush hour are ridiculous. $30 for one trip one way is not sustainable for most people.
There needs to be a full investigation into anyone who cast a vote for similar lanes anywhere else in the areas or supported a recommendation for such projects. They need to explain how they came to the conclusion that replicating a failed project would benefit the people of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Anthony Yodice, Davidson
Toll lane solution
Fifty years ago, Charlotte divided several African American neighborhoods to create I-77 and I-277. This resulted in moving many families out of their homes and creating a barrier between the Center City and the neighborhoods surrounding Johnson C. Smith. These lower income neighborhoods bore the brunt of moving cars around Charlotte.
Adding an HOV lane to I-77 gives us an opportunity to correct this error. Tunneling or Cap and Stitch has been used in Dallas and Pittsburgh to reconnect neighborhoods. Yes, it is more expensive and time-consuming. But this is a once in a generation opportunity to “get it right” this time. Creating a park over a partially submerged highway would welcome these neighbors into the Center City.
Deb Park, Charlotte
Trump and Iran
Secretary of State Rubio stated President Trump attacked on Iran because “intelligence” reported that Israel’s anticipated offensive against that country might cause retaliation against US forces in the Middle East.
As a registered Republican voter, I wonder how that squares with Trump’s promise to end “forever wars” and keep America out of foreign entanglements?
The answer is it doesn’t. Donald Trump doesn’t care about our servicemen’s lives, national security or the greater good for all Americans. He just cares about what will make him look strong on TV, until the next major crisis requires him to change the subject again.
Michael A. Clark, Charlotte
Avoiding wars for oil
Want fewer wars? Try peace through clean energy. Sun and wind don’t start wars. Oil often does.
Clean energy gives the U.S. true energy independence, shrinking our need to police oil fields, shipping lanes, and unstable regions. When oil matters less, so do Middle East entanglements.
That means fewer troops abroad, fewer trillion-dollar wars, and fewer lives lost guarding someone else’s gas station. Clean energy also lowers fuel prices, weakens dictators, and stabilizes global markets.
Clean energy isn’t just climate policy. It’s peace policy.
Jane P. Taylor, Charlotte
This story was originally published March 8, 2026 at 8:12 AM.