NC senator, business group opposes Interstate 77 toll lanes

CORNELIUS, N.C. (AP) — There’s another effort to side-track plans for toll lanes on Interstate 77 north of Charlotte.

Multiple media outlets report a meeting in Cornelius on Thursday night discussed the possibility of canceling the state’s plans to add toll lanes from north Charlotte to Mooresville.

DOT officials signed a contract earlier this month with a private developer to build the express toll lanes.

Most of those at the meeting oppose the toll project.

State Sen. Jeff Tarte says he’s writing a bill to cancel the contract and add money to widen the road to Gov. Pat McCrory’s plans to borrow money for infrastructure improvements.

Tarte says approval of such a bill would be a “long shot.” He said he would not file it unless business leaders show support for the idea.

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