Charlotte

[PColumbus73]

Meanwhile in Charlotte . . .

https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/05/26/charlotte-growth-population-1-million

As Charlotte barrels toward a population of 1 million, the city of transplants and unicorn natives is uniting behind a common phrase: "We're full."

Doesn't Charlotte have Atlanta envy?

[architect77]

Raleigh's outerloop is 60% tolled with the NC Quickpass price for the full Southern half of I-540/NC540 at $12.01 per trip. No free lanes at all. People seem ok with it.

You're right, we are okay with it. Thats because its not a complete rip-off.

The tolls on NC 540 are fixed. it costs $8.04 with a NCquickpass to drive the entire 33 miles, according to NCquickpass website (not sure where you got $12.01 from). Same goes for the US 74 Bypass in Monroe. $3 to drive the entire 18 mile road. That is a huge difference from the I-77 dynamic toll lanes. During peak times, I-77 express can easily cost upwards of $30 to go 26 miles. On top of that, the tolls from 540 and 74 go back into the state transportation fund, unlike the 77 tolls that go straight to a private corp. Additionally, there is a non-compete clause in the 77 express lanes contract that basically forbids any major improvements on I-77 and any parallel roads for 50 YEARS. Mecklenburg county and the NCDOT got completely screwed by the 77 express lanes.

It will be interesting to compare the pricing on the 77 express lanes VS the new 485 express lanes, which are not controlled by a private corp. However i don't believe the 485 lanes are fully operational yet.

The $12.01 will be the price of the tolled portion once complete. All of the info is available online. Yes the I-77 deal sucks and Charlotte native Pat McCrory arranged it.

He should have gotten I-77 widened through the state and the turnpike authority.

But Express Lanes are different from a typical toll road, and they are quite genius in their sole mission of offering a free flowing lane of travel at 45mph or faster guaranteed. The dynamic tolls can keep it moving. Atlanta's Express Lanes are a perfect example of how prices should be initially set.

I suggest lots of people do what I did and contact NCDOT reminding them that the tolls by cintra are discouraging adequate usage of the lanes which defeats the whole purpose of building them in the first place.

[The Ghostbuster]

Does anyone believe the canceled Interstate 77 Express Lanes might be revived at some point?

[architect77]

Does anyone believe the canceled Interstate 77 Express Lanes might be revived at some point?

The problem remains. I also like someone's suggestion of building a I-77 bypass of Charlotte which on undeveloped land to the East could be done for far less than the proposed elevated Express Lanes.

I can't believe that anyone would consider another deal with Cintra though. They are holding I-77 hostage with such overpriced toll rates.