Every day, more than 160,000 people travel I-77 around Charlotte, NC. Despite Charlotte being one of the fastest growing cities in the US, and projected to continue for the next 15 years, the NC DOT and State Politicians have done little to prepare for this growth.
Your state legislature, governor and the NC DOT want to build 4 toll-road projects around Charlotte:
I-77 Charlotte to Mooresville
I-77 Charlotte to South Carolina border
I-485 Rea Road to US 74
US 74 Charlotte to Matthews
BUILDING TOLL ROADS is not the answer - TELL YOUR POLITICIANS TO STOP THESE PROJECTS and find other solutions.
For years, citizens from Charlotte and surrounding areas have paid taxes that have built roads that weren't needed in other areas of the state, just hoping people 'would come.' All while expanding I-77 has been ranked #90 on the state priorities. How is this possible for the largest city in the state? How is it that Raleigh – a city ½ the size of Charlotte – has several projects ranked higher, and without plans to use Toll-Roads?
It’s time for citizens to speak up.
The estimate cost to build an additional FREE lane from Huntersville to Mooresville is estimated at a mere $100M. And yet, state legislature has promised more than $158M to Iredell & Mecklenburg County cities impacted by a toll-road. How does that make sense?
How is the state making good decisions – when they are choosing to partner with a foreign company, that has questionable financial stability or US toll success (Indiana and Texas failed Toll-Road projects); who will control the tolls for than 50 years (and who is guaranteed payment by taxpayers if no one uses); and that may cost travelers up to $20 per day for a round trip use, from Mooresville to Charlotte. Even with an offer of a free HOV - it only applies for 3 persons - an increase from the standard 2 person occupancy.
We need politicians to SAY NO - and find other solutions:
1. STOP the plans to build a toll-road (s) for Charlotte.
2. Re-prioritize NC DOT projects based upon current and projected GROWTH.
3. Change the current HOV lanes to a general use lane – GIVE US SOME RELIEVE NOW!
4. Use bonus allocation funds to add an additional General Use Lane NOW.
Do the RIGHT thing - for your Largest Metro area in the state and for all citizens of North Carolina.
TELL YOUR POLITICIANS - at all levels - that THIS HAS TO STOP.
