Officials say the cost to build express lanes on Interstate 77 south of Uptown has increased to $3.7 billion.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina transportation officials are inching closer to a decision on whether to greenlight more express lanes on Interstate 77 in Charlotte.
For the last year, financial advisors have been analyzing the best way to move forward with the proposal to build NC Quick Pass lanes between Uptown Charlotte and the South Carolina border. The options were to use state money or to partner with a private developer to build the lanes.
Now, NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) officials believe if they don’t move forward with a private builder, the toll lanes will likely never happen. That’s because they said the state cannot afford to finance the project on its own.
Officials told WCNC Charlottethe express lanes would be the most expensive transportation project in state history, partly because every interchange on I-77 between Uptown …