I-77 Express Lanes

Close

The I-77 Express Lanes project will add 26 miles of variably priced managed lanes along I-77 and I-277 in Charlotte, North Carolina north through Mecklenburg and Iredell Counties. The project will provide two 17.5-mile express lanes in both directions from I-277 (Brookshire Freeway) near Charlotte Center City to Catawba Avenue in Cornelius and one express lane per direction for an additional eight miles from to NC 150 in Mooresville. At the southern end of the corridor, direct connector ramps will extend the lanes an additional 1.3 miles along I-277. The project will convert the existing HOV lanes between I-277 to north of I-485 in Huntersville (southbound) and between I-85 and I-485 (northbound) to express toll lane operation. Second express lanes will be constructed on new right-of-way in both directions on this segment. The express lanes north of I-485 will also be built on new capacity. The project will include up to 12 points of access and egress and will utilize all-electronic tolling. The occupancy requirement for free travel on the express lanes will be HOV3+. Motorcycles, buses, and emergency vehicles will also be able to use the lanes at no cost. The project will enhance mobility and travel time reliability in the I-77 corridor north of Charlotte. This region has experienced significant population growth over the past 25 years, particularly in the communities along the northern portion of the corridor in Iredell County. Population growth in this portion of the region expanded at a rate 50 percent greater than the average state rate between 2000 and 2010. As a result, the I-77 corridor currently experiences significant which would worsen in the absence of the improvements.

High