Advisory committee to meet this week to discuss I-77 toll lane project

The I-77 toll lane advisory committee will meet again this week to discuss the controversial project.

Last week, Channel 9 cameras were allowed inside discussions for the first time.

The committee is weighing six options. Most of the options call for canceling the toll contract, which could mean finishing construction and keeping the additional lane for all drivers.

Once the committee makes its recommendation, the final decision will be up to the Department of Transportation secretary and the governor.

PAST TOLL LANE COVERAGE

• Committee discusses future of I-77 toll lanes in first public meeting
• [READ MORE: New toll lane advisory group meets for first time in Cornelius]
• Cancellation of I-77 tolls could potentially cost NC millions, study says
• NCDOT to make changes to I-77 toll lane work zone
• Cooper's DOT secretary choice not sitting well with I-77 toll lane opponents
• I-77 toll lane construction impacts homeless camps
• 9 investigates costly impact of I-77 tolls as businesses leave
• $1.36M fine levied on I-77 toll lane contractor by NCDOT
• Road assistance to be offered in toll-lane construction zone
• 'Complete and delete' option would open I-77 lanes without toll charge
• Widen I-77 attorney says toll lane battle is like 'David vs. Goliath'

The cost impact varies depending on when a decision is made but could reach into hundreds of millions of dollars.

“Whenever all these decisions are made, it’s always the taxpayers,” McNeely said. “It’s always us. We’re always the ones that foot the bill.”

More than half of the $640 million project has already been spent. As the committee debates which option to choose, construction is not slowing. Drivers can already see electronic message boards for the toll lanes along the interstate.

Some committee members have said that they’re against the toll lanes because they don’t solve congestion issues. They said they would rather see the interstate widened.

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