County commissioners vote 6-3 in favor of CRTPO continuing study of I-77 toll proposal

CHARLOTTE — A recent proposal to let a private company build toll lanes on the southern portion of Interstate 77 is moving forward.

On Thursday, Mecklenburg County commissioners voted 6-3 for Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization to keep studying the project.

Channel 9 has reported in the past on I-77 Mobility Partners proposal to build the toll lanes from I-485 to I-277.

Some CRTPO board members have not been open to the idea. In August, Pat Cotham was one of them.

“I am 100% opposed to this, and I’m kind of offended that we’re even talking about it,” Cotham said. “I think it’s a very sad precedent that we could possibly be involved in. The previous contract I think is the worst one in the history of North Carolina that this state has ever signed with a third party.”

Others welcome the proposal.

Mayor Pro Tem Julie Eiselt, who represents the city of Charlotte, wants the city to welcome the options.

“Every day, it’s a parking lot, and so I don’t know what that looks in 30 to 40 years to take careful steps to talk about it,” Eiselt said. “I don’t think it is a bad thing because it is a problem.”

Channel 9′s Joe Bruno looked at the proposal in-depth and how the project could cost more than toll fees for drivers.

When it comes to the future of the project, it will have to be approved at a later date.

(WATCH BELOW: 9 Investigates: I-77 express lanes could cost drivers more than a simple toll)

9 Investigates: I-77 express lanes could cost drivers more than a simple toll

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