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The I-77 South Debate Is Shifting—and More Leaders Are Speaking Up

CRTPO board members raise new concerns, signaling growing momentum for a more transparent and thoughtful path forward

At its March 24 meeting, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) Board spent over an hour discussing the proposed I-77 South toll lane project. For months, public concern has been growing—especially from residents of West Charlotte neighborhoods who would be most directly impacted. At this meeting, something important changed: That concern is now clearly showing up in the board’s own discussion. This does not mean decisions have changed. But it does mean the conversation is evolving in meaningful—and consequential—ways.

A Turning Point in the Dialogue

For the first time, multiple board members—some of whom had not previously spoken publicly about the project—raised concerns, asked more probing questions, and called for greater clarity and transparency.

Most notably, Ed Driggs, Charlotte City Council Member (District 7), addressed the growing debate and clarified an important point about governance: “I’ve listened and read and my conclusion is there is not a brick wall, a legal brick wall that says that Charlotte could not instruct me and that I couldn’t come here and support the vote… that could happen and it would not be without effect.”

This acknowledgment is significant. For months, there has been confusion about whether CRTPO—or local governments—still have the ability to influence the project at this stage. Driggs’ comments make clear that local elected leaders retain meaningful agency, even at this point in the process.

Board Members Speak Up

Following Driggs’ update, several board members spoke—many raising concerns that closely reflect what residents and community leaders have been saying for months. Together, their comments signal a clear shift: this is no longer a one-directional conversation.

Leigh Altman, Mecklenburg County Commissioner At-Large

Commissioner Altman emphasized the importance of leadership, not just legal interpretation: “We should be clear with the community [about] the difference between what we can do and what we should do.” She identified three critical areas that remain unresolved:

  • Community and neighborhood impacts
  • Environmental and county asset impacts
  • The fundamental question of why toll lanes versus alternatives

She also spoke candidly about trust: “Some of the things that have come out since then really haven’t stood up under scrutiny and that has harmed trust for me.” That erosion of trust is now a central issue in this process.

Steve Rosenburgh, NCDOT Board of Transportation At-Large Member 

Steve Rosenburgh, a Charlotte developer appointed to the NCDOT Board of Transportation in 2020, focused on financing and feasibility.

He stated: “If the city doesn’t want this project, then I, as a board member, would say, well, what does the city want? Should we be involved in these other projects?” He then added: “If the city doesn’t want this project… that money is leaving the city, and it won’t be coming back.”

This was one of the most shocking moments of the meeting.

We believe this framing functions as a veiled warning—suggesting that if local leaders do not support DOT’s plan to build toll lanes, the region risks losing transportation funding.

It’s important to be clear: North Carolina’s transportation funding system is not designed to work this way.

Under the state’s Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) law, projects are evaluated using an objective, data-driven scoring system, not discretionary decisions based on political alignment.

That’s precisely why the STI law was created—to prevent funding decisions from being influenced by pressure or politics.

At the same time, comments like this carry real weight. Several local elected officials have privately expressed concern that they have heard similar warnings, creating hesitation to challenge NCDOT’s proposal—even as their constituents are asking for a pause and a more thorough review.

That tension is now clearly part of the public conversation.

Rusty Knox, Mayor of Davidson

Mayor Knox acknowledged the need to address congestion while emphasizing that any solution must be done thoughtfully and equitably: “The answer is not to do nothing… but I want it done right. I want it done fair. I want it done equitable.”

Michael Osborne, Mayor Pro Tem of Cornelius

Commissioner Osborne questioned whether the project will actually deliver on its stated goals: “Is it really to relieve congestion… or is it to provide predictable transit times—and for who?” He also called for stronger, transparent analysis: “I’d like to see that modeled… so we can see what the tradeoffs really are.”

David Jones, Mayor Pro Tem of Statesville

Mayor Pro Tem Jones raised concerns about the limited range of options that have been presented: “There was never any course of action other than a P3 (Public Private Partnership) [to build toll lanes].”

Rick Becker, Mayor of Mineral Springs

Mayor Becker offered some of the most powerful remarks of the evening, focusing on the long-term impact of highway design on the region’s future. “Charlotte… is hamstrung… by 277 and 77. It’s just—it’s a noose. It’s not a necklace. It’s a noose.”

He warned that expanding the highway without rethinking its design would deepen existing divisions: “If we allow this project to make that barrier worse, we’re spending $3.5 billion to make [our region] even more confined.”

And he made clear that this moment presents a rare opportunity. He specifically pointed to cap-and-stitch strategies as a way to reconnect communities rather than further divide them.

Jim Bell, Mayor of Weddington

Mayor Bell emphasized the importance of slowing down and listening: “Doing nothing is not an option… but I feel like we should not rush into anything.” He called for:

  • Better communication
  • More community input
  • Solutions that uplift rather than harm nearby communities

Tony Lathrop, Chair of the NCDOT Board of Transportation

Chair Lathrop closed with a focus on process and trust: “This is really just about the process and about trust… being inclusive and collaborative and doing this the right way.”

A Note of Appreciation

We want to sincerely thank each of these board members for speaking up, asking thoughtful questions, and engaging in this conversation. These are complex decisions with long-term consequences. It matters that leaders from across our region are taking the time to listen, reflect, and thoughtfully consider the full range of impacts.

Community Voices Continue to Lead

Public comments early in the meeting reflected growing concern about the I-77 South proposal, including:

  • Concerns raised by Carson Cone about the plan to pay $12.5 million to each of the four shortlisted bidder teams for toll lane proposals – $50M combined
  • Questions about whether those costs are justified for a project that may not ultimately move forward
  • Calls for a pause and independent analysis before further commitments are made by Sean Langley

These voices are not just being heard—they are helping shape the conversation.

What This Means

This meeting did not result in a policy change. But it did mark a meaningful shift:

  • More board members are actively engaging
  • Key assumptions are being questioned
  • Legal authority is being clarified
  • Trust and transparency are now central issues
  • Public input is influencing the discussion

Momentum is building—but the outcome is not yet determined.

What Comes Next

We believe the most responsible next step is straightforward: Pause. Study. Engage. Decide.

  • A 12-month pause on advancing toll lanes
  • An independent, comprehensive alternatives analysis
  • Public release of findings
  • A robust community engagement process
  • Time for elected leaders across the region to review the data, consider public input, deliberate, and decide how to proceed

This approach allows our region to:

  • Make a more informed decision
  • Build public trust
  • Identify solutions that better reflect community needs
  • Avoid locking in a costly and potentially harmful project without fully considering better alternatives

The Bottom Line

This was one of the most substantive CRTPO discussions of I-77 South to date. Not because decisions were made—but because:

  • More leaders are asking harder questions
  • More voices are being heard
  • And the outcome is no longer being treated as inevitable

That’s how better decisions begin.

Thanks for reading!

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