CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Turnpike Authority’s $2.2 billion plan for interstate toll lanes here promises to dramatically reshape commuting into Charlotte from the south and eastern side of the region.
The plan will create options for faster travel between Monroe, Rock Hill, Chester and points south into the Queen City on three of the primary arteries that serve commuters and travelers from the south and east.
The Turnpike Authority plans to add toll lanes to interstates 77 and 485 to the south of uptown and to U.S. Highway 74 or Independence Boulevard for the eastern commuters.
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The three projects — coupled with the I-77 toll lanes that are scheduled to open completely later this year — would create a continuous U-shape of express lanes around south Mecklenburg to north Meck and into Iredell County. A driver could turn onto a toll lane on Independence Boulevard just south of uptown and navigate all the way — 55 miles — to Mooresville without leaving an express lane.
The cost of that drive — in terms of total tolls — hasn’t been determined yet but will vary according to congestion.