Charlotte leaders are running out of time to decide the future of the controversial I-77 South toll lanes. Another rejection could also expose local governments to a potential $60 million bill.

The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, or CRTPO, met Wednesday without taking action. Several local governments continue standing by their opposition to the project.

Charlotte’s official position also remains no. City Council has not held another vote since the previous CRTPO meeting.

Attention now turns to Sept. 23, when CRTPO leaders are expected to vote on whether to support the project.

Meanwhile, a new state law has dramatically raised the financial stakes. Communities that withdrew support have until Oct. 5 to reverse course.

Otherwise, they could be required to reimburse the North Carolina Department of Transportation for money already spent on toll lane design. That potential cost could reach $60 million.

Charlotte leaders have also questioned whether negotiations could continue after Oct. 5. It remains unclear whether that deadline would effectively close the door on further discussions.

Charlotte’s troubled transit system is facing another blistering review after state investigators uncovered major security, fare enforcement and spending problems. The findings come despite millions spent on security improvements and a $3.4 million campaign aimed at rebuilding public confidence.

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor released its new report Aug. 17. It follows an earlier investigation launched after the 2025 killing of Iryna Zarutska aboard the Blue Line.

Investigators found CATS still lacks physical barriers, including gates or turnstiles, to prevent riders from entering without tickets.

That problem appears substantial.

CATS estimated about 45% of bus and light rail riders were not paying fares in a December analysis. Light rail alone had an estimated nonpayment rate of 60%.

Consequently, CATS estimates fare evasion costs the system between $5 million and $6.5 million annually.

Fare-evasion citations also dropped 57% between 2023 and 2025. CATS collected only $550 in light-rail fare fines during fiscal 2025.

Auditor Raises Concerns About Police Presence

The report also found limited coordination between CATS and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.

Only two CMPD officers were assigned to CATS’ Metro Transit Unit, according to information reviewed by auditors.

Additionally, CMPD’s Real Time Crime Center was not directly connected to CATS surveillance cameras when Zarutska was killed. CATS says that connection was completed in October 2025.

Auditors also questioned CATS’ enforcement of its 175-person Exclusion List.

The suspect in another December 2025 light rail stabbing was already banned from CATS. Auditors concluded existing measures appeared insufficient to enforce those bans.

Millions in Safety Funding Went Unspent

Investigators also examined CATS’ planned spending on security equipment.

CATS budgeted approximately $2.23 million for safety and security equipment during fiscal 2025.

However, the agency spent only about $470,000, or 21% of the budgeted amount. Approximately $1.76 million remained unspent.

CATS attributed the delays to project complexity, procurement timelines and unfinished projects.

The findings follow a separate federal audit released earlier this year.

That investigation identified 18 areas of noncompliance and found assaults on CATS employees occurred at five times the national average. Crimes against passengers occurred at three times the national average.

Charlotte Says Safety Has Improved

City officials say the latest state report largely examines conditions before several major improvements took effect.

Charlotte says its transit security contract grew from $5.8 million in fiscal 2022 to $23.1 million for fiscal 2027. Contracted security staffing increased from approximately 110 to 262 people.

The city also reported Blue Line crime fell approximately 69% during early 2026 compared with the same period last year. Bus-related assaults declined about 67%.

CATS plans to launch more than 60 uniformed fare enforcement ambassadors in October. It is also moving toward contactless fare payments and additional security technology.

Meanwhile, Charlotte approved a $3.4 million marketing and communications contract last December to rebuild confidence in CATS. That decision followed another stabbing near the light rail system.

The new audit adds another layer of scrutiny as Charlotte prepares for a massive expansion of its regional transit network.

For city leaders, the challenge now extends beyond convincing residents that CATS is safe. They must demonstrate that new spending and security measures are producing lasting results.

An invasive bug that has killed millions of trees in North Carolina has now reached Charlotte.

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation appears to have killed several trees near South Tryon Street and Billy Graham Parkway.

EAB infestations begin with leaf loss at the tree tops, followed by tunnels under loose bark, and sprouts at the tree’s base. The EAB, a metallic green beetle, bores into ash trees and feeds on tissues beneath the bark, ultimately killing the tree. Adult borers lay eggs on the bark of ash trees. When the eggs hatch, larvae bore into the bark and feed on tree tissues. This process disrupts nutrient and water movement, causing the tree’s slow death, typically within three to five years.

Signs of EAB infestation include thinning crowns, increased woodpecker activity, and small, 1/8-inch D-shaped exit holes where adult beetles emerged. Additionally, symptoms include galleries inside the bark, cream-colored larvae, and epicormic sprouting from the tree’s main stem. Host plants include all native ash trees and native white fringetrees. The Chinese white fringetree, often planted for ornamental purposes, is believed to be resistant.

Adult EAB beetles are about a half-inch long and 1/8-inch wide. Under their wing covers, their bodies are metallic purple-red. In North Carolina, the adult EAB is typically active from late spring to early summer, usually from April through June. EAB larvae may be found under the tree bark most of the year.

“EAB has been found in more than 75% of North Carolina counties including all of Western North Carolina, most of the Piedmont and continues to track east,” The NC Forestry Service said in a press release. “The entire state is under a quarantine for EAB which prohibits the movement of ash plant parts, the insect itself, ash nursery stock and all hardwood firewood into nonquarantined areas such as central Tennessee, most of Alabama and Florida.”

The City of Charlotte is now asking all residents to report possible sighting of EAB to 800-206-9333 or newpest@ncagr.gov