Charlotte and NCDOT officials are currently weighing some dramatic options for I-77, including possible double-decker express toll lanes.
Transportation officials met with residents yesterday afternoon to gather feedback on an 11-mile, $3.2 billion plan to add toll lanes from the South Carolina line to Uptown.
Potential plans call for additional lanes, rebuilt interchanges, more access points. Some of the proposed plans even call for segments could run on elevated structures beside or above the highway.
Double-deck highways have a complicated history. Mid-century projects sped traffic but often blighted neighborhoods. Seattle and San Francisco’s double-decker highways were built and then later removed elevated freeways after safety concerns and public pushback.
Houston’s double-decker I-10 hasn’t done much to solve the city’s congestion problems.
Charlotte officials say they will study impacts before selecting any elevated option.
A second drop-in meeting runs today from 4–7 p.m. at Silver Mount Baptist Church. Maps and engineers will be on site to answer questions. A formal public hearing is planned next year. Written comments are open through Dec. 5, 2025.
For comments or questions about the new I-77 toll lanes, call 1-800-254-0498 or email i-77south@ncdot.gov. You can also mail feedback to: Emily Richards, NCDOT Public Involvement, 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598.
