CHARLOTTE — A major proposal to add toll lanes to I‑77 South is now effectively dead after a supermajority vote Wednesday night to rescind support for the project. The decision comes just weeks after Charlotte city leaders withdrew their backing.
The motion to discuss and rescind support wasn’t on the agenda but was introduced during the meeting by Matthews Mayor John Higdon, who became one of the most vocal opponents throughout the night.
Because the motion was added during the meeting, it required a two‑thirds vote to pass — not a simple majority.
According to a letter sent this week to Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles by the NCDOT secretary, the vote means the $600 million the state had allocated for the toll‑lane project will now be redirected to other parts of North Carolina.
It also pushes any future I‑77 improvements to the back of the line, likely delaying them at least 10 years, according to an NCDOT board member.
Communities voting to rescind support included Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Davidson, Monroe, Cornelius, Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville, and the Metropolitan Transit Commission. The Pineville mayor stepped out of the room as voting was happening and then later voted to rescind.
Mayor Higdon said the vote needed to happen quickly. “No, absolutely not. I was a little bit shocked, but I think we got the support that we needed,” Higdon said.
But not everyone agreed. Mineral Springs Mayor Rick Becker, who voted against the motion, said he’s concerned about what the General Assembly or NCDOT might do next. “We don’t know what NCDOT might do. There are so many unknowns,” Becker said.
Adding to the uncertainty, the CRTPO attorney advised the board that the deadline to rescind support may have already passed, raising questions about whether Wednesday’s vote is legally binding. Channel 9 has reached out to NCDOT for clarification.
[ ALSO READ: NCDOT warns Charlotte mayor about impact of rescinding toll lane support ]
Residents have voiced concerns for months, particularly about toll‑lane designs that would cut through historic neighborhoods.
The state had released “Reconnecting the Corridor” concepts showing parks and bike lanes in areas where I‑77 once split communities.
The future of the project now remains unclear.
‘We remain committed’
The North Carolina Department of Transportation released a statement regarding the decision, saying:
“NCDOT is aware of CRTPO’s vote this evening. As we have discussed with City Council and CRTPO delegates, this vote means the loss of $700M in critical transportation funding designed to address congestion, crash rates, and community-driven priorities for the Charlotte region. We remain committed to delivering projects that local governments and planners ask us to deliver.”
Sustain Charlotte also released a statement saying in part:
“This historic vote sends a clear message: our region is ready for a better vision for mobility, connectivity, and growth. This outcome did not happen because the odds were easy. It happened because residents kept showing up. Parents spoke up after putting kids to bed. Working people rearranged packed schedules to attend meetings and send emails. Community leaders, neighborhood advocates, planners, business leaders, and everyday residents continued speaking out — even when they were told the project was inevitable and impossible to stop.”
The Black Political Caucus released a statement celebrating the vote, saying:
“This significant development marks a turning point in the region’s ongoing debate over the proposed toll lane expansion and reflects the power of coordinated advocacy, community engagement, and principled leadership.”
This is a developing story. Check back for more.