I-77 toll lane construction to start in 2015

CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — State highway officials say construction of Interstate 77 toll lanes in the Charlotte area is scheduled to begin either next spring or summer, with new lanes slated to open in four years.

The Charlotte Observer reports the proposed toll lanes will be built between Brookshire Freeway in Charlotte and Exit 36 in Mooresville.

Officials spoke at three meetings in Mooresville, Davidson and Huntersville on Thursday to update elected officials and town staffs on the $650 million project that Cintra Infraestructuras S.A. will finance, design, build and manage.

The state didn’t announce the meetings to the public. They came to light on Wednesday after Huntersville commissioner Rob Kidwell notified media members in an email.

A citizens group opposed to the tolls criticized the meetings being closed.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)