Year in Review: Fight continues over I-77 toll lanes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One of the most controversial issues for communities from Charlotte to Mooresville was the toll lanes on Interstate 77.

Construction just began, but opposition to the project refuses to stall.

People fed up with the state's solution to standstill traffic on I-77 dedicated 2015 to bringing the express lane project to a screeching halt.

“It looks like it is set up for failure,” said Mark Gibbons with Widen I-77.

In early 2015, Widen I-77 filed a lawsuit, but a judge denied an injunction to temporarily halt construction. Transportation officials insisted the project would go on as scheduled.

Lake Norman residents kept fighting, holding protests, packing city council meetings and taking their message to the street.

Through the summer, North Carolina Department of Transportation officials defended the project, saying heavy break-up fees would happen if the contract was canceled.

“I’m willing to pay it rather than be locked into a 50-year disaster,” Mecklenburg County commissioner Jim Puckett said.

As the anti-toll movement grew, the project's status remained the same.

In August, local transportation leaders voted to continue with a 10-year road plan that includes managed lanes. The focus then turned to elected officials.

In November, I-77 traffic couldn't prevent anti-tollers from heading to the polls, ousting pro-toll politicians including four-term Mayor Jill Swain of Huntersville.

“This was a tremendous victory and really solidifies the public well,” said John McAlpine with I-77 Business Plan.

Days later, project leaders announced construction of the controversial project was set to begin.

"Through this public-private-partnership, the I-77 Express Lanes project will provide immediate and long-term traffic management solutions within three years. Under the agreement, NCDOT is investing $95 million directly in the I-77 Express Lanes project, and an additional $145 million in other transportation projects for a total $240 million investment in the region," NCDOT spokeswoman Jordan-Ashley Walker said.

Unfazed, people against the tolls kept going. A toll lane summit was held to discuss the project’s future.

At the summit, NCDOT leaders admitted the project can be stopped.

The stage is set for a big battle. Gov. Pat McCrory called on transportation leaders to revote on the 10-year roads plan and the lawsuit is set to be heard in court.

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