Statement from Sustain Charlotte on CRTPO Vote to Rescind Support for I-77 South Toll Lane Expansion

CHARLOTTE — On Wednesday night, the Charlotte region demonstrated the power of democracy and the extraordinary impact communities can have when people come together and refuse to give up.

Representatives from every municipality in Mecklenburg County joined the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County in voting to rescind support for the proposed I-77 South toll lane expansion project. 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.

Tonight proved that public engagement matters.

We applaud every elected official who listened to their constituents and acted with courage and thoughtfulness. We especially recognize the significance of every municipality in Mecklenburg County standing together in support of something better for our future.

This was never simply about opposing a highway project. It was about affirming that the future of Charlotte should be shaped by the people who live here — and that we have both the right and responsibility to ask hard questions, demand transparency, and pursue solutions that reconnect communities rather than divide them further.

The conversation about the future of mobility in our region is far from over. But tonight, our community showed what is possible when people come together with persistence, hope, and a shared vision for a healthier, more connected Charlotte.

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About Sustain Charlotte

Sustain Charlotte is a nonprofit organization working to create a more equitable, connected, and healthy community by inspiring responsible growth and transportation choices. Founded in 2010, Sustain Charlotte advocates for sustainable land use and transportation policies that help the Charlotte region grow in ways that expand mobility options, improve public health, reduce climate pollution, protect natural resources, and strengthen neighborhoods for all residents.