A major Charlotte highway project is now being challenged with bold new ideas as debate intensifies over the future of one of the region’s busiest corridors.
Sustain Charlotte announced it has received a wave of design submissions to its new ‘Reimagine the I-77 South Corridor Challenge‘. The effort comes as the state moves forward with plans to expand the highway and add controversial toll lanes from Uptown to the South Carolina line.
The submissions come from residents, architects, students, and urban planners, all offering alternative visions for the future of the corridor.
Organizers say the goal is to rethink how I-77 functions and how it impacts surrounding communities.
The effort follows growing backlash to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s expansion plan, which would widen the highway and add toll lanes through several Charlotte neighborhoods.
Critics argue the project could worsen congestion over time and continue decades of community division caused by the interstate.
State officials, however, say the expansion is necessary to keep up with rapid population growth and increasing traffic demand.
The controversy has already led NCDOT to open a community engagement center to address public concerns and gather feedback.
Now, the design challenge is adding a new layer to the debate.
Timeline
March 13
Request for Visionaries (RFV) officially released
April 6
Submission deadline
April 13
Public exhibit and showcase
How to Participate
Step 1
Download and review the RFV.
Step 2
Create a visual concept that communicates your vision.
Step 3
Submit your idea using the online submission form here.
