North Carolina Construction News staff writer
After a year of extensive community engagement, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is moving forward with the least impactful design alternative for the I-77 South Express Lanes project. Public feedback emphasized the importance of minimizing neighborhood and environmental impacts while improving regional mobility.
“NCDOT’s priority is to deliver transportation improvements in partnership with the region that respect the history of the neighborhoods along this project corridor,” said Felix Obregon, Division 10 engineer. “Community feedback has been critical in shaping this project, and the elevated design option balances mobility needs with meaningful reductions in neighborhood and environmental impacts. We are grateful to residents, stakeholders, and community leaders who have shared their perspectives.”
Over the past year, NCDOT hosted nearly 30 small-group meetings and two formal public meetings, reaching almost 2,000 people. The outreach demonstrates the department’s commitment to transparency and collaboration.
The selected elevated express lanes design constructs lanes over or alongside the existing interstate in the uptown area. The approach significantly reduces property impacts to the McCrorey Heights and Wesley Heights neighborhoods, minimizes effects on Frazier Park, and avoids impacts to Pinewood Cemetery.
While some residents suggested relocating I-77 underground in a tunnel, NCDOT’s review determined that option would cost billions of dollars per mile—10 to 20 times the department’s annual capital budget—and incur $50 million or more annually in maintenance costs, nearly equal to Division 10’s entire yearly maintenance fund.
NCDOT said community engagement will continue throughout design and procurement. The department plans to establish a community engagement center and offer virtual office hours, giving residents ongoing opportunities to review information, ask questions, and provide feedback. A public hearing is also scheduled later this year. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The I-77 South Express Lanes project is designed to improve traffic flow, increase travel time reliability, and provide more predictable commutes along one of the Charlotte region’s busiest corridors. The project, first submitted for prioritization in 2014 by the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO), continues to follow National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines, evaluating potential impacts on neighborhoods, traffic operations, air quality, noise, water resources, and wildlife.
NCDOT remains committed to transparent communication and collaboration with communities and partners, including the Federal Highway Administration and the City of Charlotte, as the project moves forward through environmental review, design, and construction.
For more information, visit the project website.