I-77 Toll Lanes

The N.C. DOT wants to add express toll lanes on I-77.

Local News Roundup: I-77 project's environmental impact, former EpiCentre set to hit Market, Queens University is going dancing

Gabe Altieri

A study reveals several parks and greenways would be impacted by the proposed I-77 toll lanes, the former EpiCentre uptown is set to go up for sale, Sam Page widens his lead over North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger, and Queens University Men’s basketball is going to the Big Dance.

Plans to add four lanes to I-77 have been developed over many years.

Politics

The I-77 toll lanes will almost certainly be built. The state holds the cards — and Charlotte leaders blinked

Steve Harrison

For the past four months, toll lanes have pushed new trains out of the headlines. The biggest transportation story in Charlotte has been the growing controversy over the planned Interstate 77 toll lanes from uptown to the South Carolina line.

Mecklenburg County said Wilmore Park would be eliminated if the Interstate 77 toll lanes are built.

Politics

Mecklenburg County says 11 parks and four greenways would be impacted by proposed toll lanes

Steve Harrison

Mecklenburg Commissioners are upset about the impacts of proposed I-77 express lanes on greenways, parks and streams.

Charlotte Talks

A dive into the debate over the I-77 project

Gabe Altieri

The I-77 toll project has been the center of a contentious debate. We hear from officials and stakeholders about where the project stands and what comes next.

The N.C. Department of Transportation discussed I-77 toll lanes with the City Council Thursday.

Politics

DOT says it will study capping I-77, placing part of highway underground

Steve Harrison

The North Carolina Department of Transportation on Thursday said it would ask four contractors to consider alternative designs for the highway.

Charlotte Talks

Local News Roundup: Primary election results; I-77 toll project latest; Tillis criticizes Noem at Senate hearing

Gabe Altieri

Primary day has come and gone, locally one message from voters is that they want party loyalty. Surprisingly, the Phil Berger race is separated by two votes. NCDOT plans to pause its plan for elevating new I-77 toll lanes for a few months, and North Carolina U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis lays into now former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Charlotte City Council Malcolm Graham (left) has praised the N.C. Department of Transportation agreeing to a three-month delay before asking contractors for proposals to expand Interstate 77.

Politics

City Council claims win with three-month I-77 delay. But there's little to suggest any real changes.

Steve Harrison

The N.C. Department of Transportation on Monday said it would delay issuing a Request for Proposals for new toll lanes on Interstate 77 until June.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is planning to widen I-77 from uptown to the South Carolina line. This is the proposed new interchange of I-77 and the Belk Freeway.

Politics

Charlotte City Council clears path for I-77 toll lanes after state agrees to three-month pause

Steve Harrison

The N.C. Department of Transportation said it would delay issuing a Request for Proposals for the Interstate 77 toll lane project.

West Charlotte residents packed this week’s CRTPO meeting.

Politics

Progressive groups call on Stein to pause I-77 widening, even though attorney says there is no going back

Steve Harrison

More than 20 local and statewide progressive organizations called on Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to pause the Interstate 77 widening project.

Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed on the Charlotte light rail on Aug. 22, 2025. Mourners created a memorial for her at the East West light rail station following the release of

Charlotte Talks

Local News Roundup: Trump invokes Zarutska stabbing; ICE arrests at Mecklenburg courthouse; Waymo sighted in Charlotte

Gabe Altieri

President Trump invokes the stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska during his State of the Union, incorrectly saying the man accused of killing her is an undocumented immigrant. Four people are taken into ICE custody outside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, self-driving Waymo taxis may soon be on Charlotte streets, and the impact of the recent winter storm continues as power bills come due.