I-77 Express Lanes – North Corridor

Summary

A completed 26-mile managed-lane project on Interstate 77 from Brookshire Freeway in Charlotte to N.C. 150 near Mooresville. The $636 million project converted existing carpool lanes, added variably priced express lanes and direct connectors, and opened fully in November 2019. I-77 Mobility Partners operates and maintains the lanes under a 50-year public-private concession.

Current stage: Completed or operational.

Key Facts

Project Funding

Funding type: Mixed public private · Status: Allocated

Timeline

1. 2019-11-16

   Full 26-mile corridor opens

   The remaining southern section opened 16 days after the contract deadline, making all 26 miles available to traffic. The completed project now operates with dynamic all-electronic tolling under the long-term concession.

   Stage after event: Completed or operational
2. 2019-11-01

   Full opening misses contract deadline

   NCDOT denied a completion extension, and liquidated damages began for three unfinished sections after the October 31 contractual deadline. The concessionaire attributed delays to added scope and other project conditions.

3. 2019-06-01

   Northern express-lane section opens

   The northern section from Hambright Road near I-485 to N.C. 150 opened to traffic while construction continued on the southern section toward uptown Charlotte.

4. 2018-06-19

   State audit finds no procurement impropriety

   A state audit reported no substantiated impropriety in the contract or award process. Independent reporting also recorded continuing criticism of the deal and concern about tolling and possible state liabilities.

5. 2017-09-19

   Independent contract review is completed

   NCDOT's independent consultant found no project risks or potential state liabilities that could not be managed with appropriate oversight, while also documenting public debate about tolling, alternatives, and the long-term concession.

6. 2015-11-15

   Corridor construction begins

   The project held its roadway groundbreaking and began construction. Sugar Creek Construction served as the lead contractor while design and right-of-way work continued under the integrated concession.

   Stage after event: Under construction
7. 2015-05-20

   Project reaches financial close

   The partners completed financing requirements after the $189 million TIFIA loan agreement and sale of $100 million in private activity bonds. Financial close allowed the project to proceed to construction.

8. 2014-06-26

   NCDOT signs 50-year concession agreement

   NCDOT and I-77 Mobility Partners signed the comprehensive design-build-finance- operate-maintain agreement. The selected proposal represented $647 million in total investment, including a rounded $95 million contribution from NCDOT and federal funds.

   Stage after event: Contract awarded
9. 2013-10

   Federal environmental review concludes

   FHWA and NCDOT completed the environmental review with a Finding of No Significant Impact for the I-77 high-occupancy/toll lane project between Exit 11 and Exit 36.

   Stage after event: Preliminary design or environmental review
10. 2013-05

    P3 developer procurement advances

    CRTPO incorporated express lanes from I-277 to N.C. 150 into its plans. NCDOT shortlisted four potential public-private developers and began detailed meetings that shaped the final procurement documents.

11. 2012-06

    Regional plan expands corridor scope

    CRTPO amended its long-range plan and transportation program to convert the existing HOV lanes, add a second express lane between I-85 and I-485, and build two express lanes between I-485 and Catawba Avenue.

12. 2010

    Regional board adopts express-lane strategy

    CRTPO adopted a resolution to develop express-lane projects on I-77, I-485, and U.S. 74 after a feasibility study examined converting and extending the existing I-77 carpool lanes.

13. 2007

    Regional study identifies I-77 North

    NCDOT and regional partners began the Fast Lanes Study. It identified the I-77 North corridor as a high priority for further express-lane planning.

    Stage after event: Planning or feasibility

Geography

Map

ExactApproximate

Solid geometry is exact. Dotted geometry and dotted-outline markers are approximate. Multiple markers may show independently verified locations; they are not connected and do not establish a route or alignment.