Mecklenburg County Commissioners voted 5-4 Tuesday night against a plan to use toll lanes to expand I-77 South.
Commissioners who oppose the plan said the proposed toll lanes would create more inequality without helping congestion.
"And I believe that managed Lanes add to the economic disparities that already exist in our community. The wealthy can move through swiftly and everyone else can remain in congested lanes," Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell said.
Commissioners who supported the proposal said toll lanes built and managed by a private company are the only viable option to expand I-77 South anytime soon because the state doesn’t have enough money to do the project.
Commissioners Mark Jerrell, George Dunlap, Leigh Altman and Laura Meier voted for the unsuccessful proposal.
The I-77 South toll lane plan is up for a vote at Wednesday night's Charlotte Regional Transportation Organization meeting.
The plan is still likely to advance because Charlotte, which has the most votes on the regional board, supports it.
