CHARLOTTE — After a year-long community engagement effort for the I-77 South Express Lanes project, NCDOT is moving forward with what was determined to be the least impactful design alternative. Public feedback showed that identifying a design with the fewest impacts possible is a top priority.
“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 NCDOT Division 10 Engineer Felix Obregon. “Community feedback has been critical in shaping this project and the elevated design option balances regional mobility needs with meaningful reductions in neighborhood and environmental impacts. We are grateful to the residents, stakeholders, and community leaders who have taken the time to participate and share their perspectives."
Over the past year, NCDOT met with residents at nearly 30 small group meetings and two formal public meetings to answer questions and collect feedback, reaching nearly 2,000 people. These efforts reflect the department's commitment to transparency, collaboration, and ensuring that community voices shape transportation solutions for the region.
Least Impactful Design Option
Based on community input and technical evaluation, the elevated express lanes design option in the uptown area – which constructs express lanes over the existing interstate or to the side of the existing interstate – significantly reduces property impacts to the McCrorey Heights and Wesley Heights neighborhoods, minimizes effects on Frazier Park, and avoids impacts to Pinewood Cemetery.
NCDOT has heard feedback requesting that I-77 be relocated underground in a tunnel. The department reviewed and compared other major tunnel projects such as the Big Dig (Boston) and Alaskan Way (Seattle). Based on those comparisons, relocating I-77 underground would cost billions of dollars per mile (10-20x NCDOT's annual capital budget). Additionally, maintenance costs would be more than $50 million a year (nearly all of NCDOT Division 10's annual maintenance fund for bridge and roadway maintenance, potholes, etc.).
Ongoing Community Engagement
NCDOT recognizes that community engagement does not end at this point in the process, as the department will continue to minimize design impacts. Additionally, the project design will continue to evolve through the project's procurement process as NCDOT will ask private companies to propose additional ideas to further eliminate impacts where possible. NCDOT will continue to collaborate with our partners at the Federal Highway Administration, the City of Charlotte, and communities throughout the project development process.
To continue strengthening community engagement, the department is in the process of establishing a community engagement center and appointments for virtual office hours to provide residents and commuters with ongoing opportunities to ask questions, review project information, and provide feedback. A public hearing will be held later this year, which will be another opportunity for public engagement.
Details regarding the community engagement center and virtual office hours appointments will be announced in the coming weeks.
About the Project
The I-77 South Express Lanes project is intended to improve traffic flow, increase travel time reliability, and provide motorists with a more predictable commute along one of the Charlotte region's busiest corridors. Through ongoing engagement and technical evaluation, NCDOT is working to advance a solution that supports regional mobility while respecting neighborhood character and community priorities.
The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) first submitted the project for prioritization in 2014. As part of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), NCDOT evaluates multiple alternatives and carefully assesses potential impacts to the human and natural environment, including community connectivity, traffic operations, air quality, noise, water resources, wildlife, and other environmental considerations. The process also identifies opportunities to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts before final design decisions are made.
NCDOT appreciates the community's continued partnership and remains committed to transparent communication as the project moves forward through environmental review and design. The department's goal is to deliver a successful project for the region and to identify ways to improve adjacent communities through continued collaboration with all stakeholders.
For additional information, residents can visit the project website or contact the I-77 South Express Lanes project team at i-77south@ncdot.gov or 1-800-254-0498.