CORNELIUS, N.C. — A proposed new exit could bring relief to daily gridlock on Interstate 77 in the Lake Norman area.
The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization is considering funding for an exit on Westmoreland Road in Cornelius.
The exit would be called Exit 27 and would be in an area where traffic backs up most days.
“It’s the main way we get in and out of Cornelius,” said town commissioner Michael Osborne. “And our secondary roads get backed up as well, which is causing the traffic not being able to exit the interstate.”
[ ALSO READ: Union County road to close due new roundabout build ]
Osborne says adding an Exit 27 could help alleviate the backups.
“It’s desperately needed. If we had an Exit 27, it would drastically improve a lot of the secondary road issues we are having,” he said.
“It’s only going to get busier. It’s not just Cornelius growth, it’s the growth in the region.”
The growth comes from many directions, including a new hospital in the area and people moving in town from out of state.
Transit leaders are collecting public comment on the project.
The CRTPO is also considering widening projects on highways like N.C. 115 and U.S. 21.
Public comment is open until Aug. 1.
(WATCH BELOW: New I-77 exit opens in Rock Hill after failed Panthers project)
This browser does not support the video element.