CHARLOTTE — The North Carolina Department of Transportation has a two-fold plan to avoid traffic congestions on Independence Boulevard, but part of the plan involves paying a toll.
State transportation officials held a public meeting Monday night to explain the plan to build toll lanes on Highway 74 from I-277 to I-485 while also building connectors to back roads that run parallel to 74 to allow drivers to cut around traffic faster.
First, officials would turn an already existing bus lane on Highway 74 into a reversible express lane from I-277 to Wallace Lane. It would be open westbound in the morning for drivers heading into uptown and then eastbound for drivers leaving uptown in the evening.
Drivers could get on and off at I-277, Albemarle Road and Wallace Lane.
Next, NCDOT would add at least two express toll lanes while widening general purpose lanes from Conference Drive to I-485.
Toll prices would vary along the road depending on demand. Tolls would be paid with digital transponders that would be mounted in your windshield. Officials are considering whether certain carpool rides would be considered free.
The lanes would be part of a toll lane network the state has planned for Mecklenburg County, including toll road projects for I-77 and I-85. NCDOT officials argue toll lanes are the best option to ease congestion and improve traffic flow as opposed to building general purpose lanes that are free to use.
"That's the only way you can guarantee a reliable travel time is by having those express lanes that people can pay to use if there time is worth that payment," said NCDOT spokesperson Jordan-Ashley Baker.
The first phase of the project that will go from I-277 to Wallace Lane on Highway 74 is expected to be completed around the end of 2017.
WSOC
