Crashes up since I-77 toll construction began

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Channel 9 examined crash data in the toll lane construction area of I-77 between the Mount Holly Huntersville Road overpass and the Stumptown Road overpass.

It showed total crashes per year were up 88 percent since toll construction started.

Rear-end crashes were up 91 percent and side-swipe crashes were up 185 percent.

Past I-77 toll road coverage

• I-77 toll lane subcontractor who drove dump truck into bridge banned from work on project
• GALLERY: Dump truck hits bridge on I-77
• RELATED: Just how expensive will I-77 tolls be?
• A look at how much drivers on I-77 can expect to pay in toll rates
• Costly new compromise for I-77 toll lanes, but is there enough money for all local projects?]
• Some city leaders say I-77 tolls could stop big business growth
• Lawmakers pass transportation bill without addressing I-77 tolls project
• Audit: NCDOT followed all laws when awarding I-77 tolls contract
• Just how expensive will I-77 tolls be?
• Advocates for plan to stop I-77 toll project say progress being made

“When you get dense traffic, you will see increases in these crashes,” said North Carolina Department of Transportation state traffic engineer Kevin Lacy.

Soon, things get more complicated as NCDOT will construct a diverging diamond interchange at Exit 23 on Gilead Road.

“If you wait until every project is done before you start the next, people are going to stay in a perpetual work zone and that’s not the best of plans either,” Lacy said.

Construction on the new interchange, which would alleviate congestion, could start as early as late October.

Officials said most toll lane construction could wrap by the end of this year.

Cox Media Group