CRTPO Board’s decision to end I-77 South toll lane project stands

MONROE, N.C. — A motion to reconsider the CRTPO Board’s vote to withdraw support for the I-77 South toll lane project recently failed, confirming the project remains terminated.

Board members also discussed a controversial new draft amendment that could compel municipalities to repay $60 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The proposed amendment, authored by State Sen. Vicki Sawyer, is anticipated to be part of the upcoming state budget.

This amendment would mandate municipalities to reimburse the North Carolina Department of Transportation for funds previously allocated to the I-77 South toll lane project before the board rescinded its support.

Matthews Mayor John Higdon has voiced opposition to the I-77 South toll lane project since its inception. Higdon believes the draft amendment is an attempt to force support for the project and could face legal challenges.

“If we are going to make decisions on this board with a gun to our head. We don’t need to have this board,” Higdon said.

Higdon hopes that moving forward, the state and the board can collaborate to find an alternative use for the money initially allocated for the project.

“I think there’s been shots across the bow from both sides and maybe we just need to have a cooling-off period,” Higdon said.

Charlotte City Councilmember Ed Driggs concurs, advocating for a study to identify an alternate way to utilize the project’s funds.

Driggs fears that if such a study does not occur, the draft amendment could be enacted, potentially presenting municipalities with unaffordable financial obligations.

“For us that would be a 40-or-50-million-dollar bill,” Driggs said, referring to Charlotte’s potential financial burden. “So, it’s something we need to think about as Charlotte. But at the end of the day, I think the project should be judged by its merits.”

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Members of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Board who also serve on the CRTPO Board indicated that if the draft amendment becomes law, they would be obligated to enforce it.

One board member cautioned that even if challenged, the North Carolina Department of Transportation would still be required to withhold key street maintenance funding from municipalities that pulled support for the project until any legal dispute is resolved.

The CRTPO Board is scheduled to meet next month. As of now, they are not slated to discuss any matters related to the I-77 South toll lane project.