A version of the following article appeared in the May 20, 2026, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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The regional panel that controls I-77’s future meets tonight — but probably won’t vote on controversial toll project
To widen or not to widen? Plans to expand I-77 between uptown and the S.C. line are in limbo as politicians wrangle. (Google Street View)
by Tony Mecia
The regional transportation body that could undo plans to widen Interstate 77 with toll lanes meets tonight — but it is not expected to take action to pull the plug on the project.
With a 6-5 vote by the Charlotte City Council last week, the future of the I-77 expansion between uptown and the South Carolina line was thrown into doubt. The council majority directed its representative to the little-known Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (or CRTPO, commonly pronounced “CART-po”) to work to rescind authorization to widen I-77 with toll lanes.
Activists and some neighborhood leaders have opposed the plans, which would result in 36 homes being demolished. Backers say I-77 needs to be widened to relieve traffic congestion.
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