Charlotte

[Rothman]

...I will stick to my previous understanding that the STIP requires NCDOT to widen this section of I-77 if the I-77 South express toll lanes is not carried forth.

STIPs don't require anyone to do anything. 

That was certainly the case until recently.  Under the new STIP system (Statewide Priority 40%; Regional Priority 30%; District Priority 30%) the appropriate NCDOT branch now has a fiscal responsibility to spend the allocated budget on each of the projects identified in the priority identified.  IIRC, widening I-77 south of Charlotte to the stateline was the highest priority of all projects.  Also keep in mind that under State Law, NCDOT cannot refer any projects to the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, only the Regional MPO can.  The way I see it, Charlotte just stuck NCDOT with the entire bill for widening I-77 (albeit at whatever cashflow rate the State can eke out these days).

STIPs don't require anyone to do anything.  Depends on MPO rules what happens if a project sponsor doesn't authorize/obligate its funding and doesn't delay or remove the project phase.  Worst case scenario the funding just plops back on the MPO table and if NCDOT let that happen without a Plan B, their capital program manager should be fired.

However, your entire comment has me wondering whether the STIP priority for the I-77 South widening was based solely on a traffic planning formula (of which the Regional MPO request was a big factor in the calculation), or if the original MPO-preferred funding strategy (PPP) skewed that calculus.  Either way, NCDOT really does needs a Plan B.  But if the STIP was dependent on the PPP funding strategy then NCDOT has a much bigger problem as the funding for other high-priority Statewide projects could be skewed in any recalculation.

Meh.  I'd bet they can just swap projects in and out of their priority list.  Well, now we have another highest priority...

I say the state should just fund a 4th general purpose lane for I-77 South. Everything about the I-77 North Express Lanes arrangement has been insulting to citizens with the underutilization of the additional capacity from overpriced initial toll rates and the lanes not even functioning like Express Lanes are supposed to (tolls only rise once 45mph minimum free flow cannot be maintained.)

I'll never understand how people would even consider another deal with Cintra for the 77 South rebuild.

Couldn't the state just start widening I-77 in smaller sections which will take several years and expect more funding to come along for the final segment later on?

* * * * * * *

I've been trying to contact the appropriate state officials to suggest raising NC's state gas tax which with the storm damage every other year decimating already limited annual funding.

Plus gas in NC is often cheaper today than in SC and GA. Look at the difference with GA:

GA State Gas Tax:

34 cents per gallon
18,000 miles or 35,000 lane miles

NC State Gas Tax:

41 cents per gallon
80,000+ miles

7 cents per gallon more for 40,000 miles of additional maintenance responsibility.

I wish someone could get the right people to consider that NC is falling behind other states who are collecting more now.

@Rothman The I-77 project is not subject to being swapped in the Charlotte MPO priority list.  It's a Statewide project, and isn't subject to regional/local funding limits (the MPO does have to have the project on its list for Federal reasons, IIRC.)  As the project was requested using toll money (either state-run or 3P) a change to the funding source would typically have it re-submitted for priority.  Money outside the usual NCDOT funding mechanisms (I'm including toll revenue here for the sake of discussion) do increase the chance of a project being rated higher and/or sooner.

*shrug*

In my environment, this situation would lead to NCDOT having more flexibility in terms of when the project would actually occur, not less.

But, I come from a state where the DOT always has the nuclear option when it comes to MPO negotiations: Only providing to the MPO what is federally required.  Granted, that is if the DOT is willing to deal with any aftermath.

Anyway, if a funding scheme falls apart in NY, it is the State that holds all the cards in terms of how the project is repackaged, if that is even desired.  You just go to the MPO and get the project amended on the TIP any which may you want.  If it's above and beyond any suballocation to the MPO, all the better, since it doesn't count towards their fiscal constraint with FHWA.

If the MPO ever refused to add a project to their TIP -- yoink.  Funds flow through the DOT or whatever toll money here to the MPO and the faucet can get turned off.  And then, if the project is popular, you blame the MPO for mucking things up and so on and so forth.

Anyway, if NC legislatively sends state money directly to MPOs bypassing NCDOT...that's just beyond stupid.  MPOs exist to manage federal funds in metropolitan areas, not state.