Group opposing I-77 toll lanes looks into legal challenge

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The group who opposes toll lanes on Interstate 77 between Charlotte and Mooresville is beefing up efforts to stop the project.

The group is called Widen I-77 and it has been harshly critical of the state's plans to add toll lanes to I-77

The group said it has hired a lawyer to look into the possibility of a legal challenge that could stop the toll road project.

Read our past coverage:

• $158M in incentives attached to I-77 toll-lane project
• Grassroots group prepping for legal battle over I-77 toll lanes
• Leaders demand answers on toll-lane project
• Leaders, community question private meetings on toll lanes
• Critics raise concerns on information collected by toll cameras
• Grass roots group disputes I-77 toll lane project

Members said they'll study possible legal strategies in hopes of getting a judge to issue an injunction against the toll lanes.

The state is close to finalizing a contract with the Spanish firm Cintra.     

The cost of the tolls lanes has yet to be decided.        
      
Other Cintra operated toll roads pay about $10 round trip.

Channel 9 also reported the company is having problems on toll roads in Texas and Indiana.        
               
A major financial agency said Cintra is having trouble making payments on money it borrowed for the project in Texas.

A company Cintra jointly owns, filed for bankruptcy because of the lack of traffic on the Indiana toll road.

Widen I-77 and also the group North Carolina Citizens Against Toll Roads will hold a meeting Thursday on the controversial project at 6 p.m. at the Galway Hooker Restaurant and Pub on Kenton Drive in Cornelius.

WSOC