Traffic
Judge denies WidenI77 preliminary injunction
March 6. Judge Osmond Smith III denied a motion by the citizens group Widen I77 for a preliminary injunction to halt plans for toll lanes on I-77 from Lake Norman to Charlotte. “We are obviously disappointed, but respect the judge’s decision,” the group said on their website, wideni77.org. A preliminary injunction would have stopped the toll […]
Anti-toll group holding ‘town hall’ meetings next week
The WidenI77 anti-toll group is holding two public meetings to update the community on the I-77 toll lane issue. New information will include how non-tolled lanes “could be built much sooner than the community has been told” and an update on the lawsuit to stop the I-77 toll lane project. Tuesday, Feb., 17: 7 pm at the […]
Let there be light: New I-77 bridge lighting is on
Jan. 22. The superstructure rising 38 feet above Catawba Avenue was lit up for the first time tonight. It is clearly visible from the exit ramps both northbound and southbound on I-77. The mast and cables, as well as the lighting, are part of $2 million worth of “aesthetic” improvements at the bridge. This portion […]
Anti-toll group hires attorney, will seek injunction to fight ‘Lexus Lanes’
By Dave Yochum The Widen I-77 anti- group is apparently ready to throw a serious legal road block in front of NCDOT plans to use toll lanes to widen I-77 between Charlotte and Lake Norman. At a news conference tomorrow, Widen I-77 will announce the name of the law firm that will file a preliminary injunction to […]
I-77 bridge may reopen this afternoon
Jan. 10 The mast-and-cable superstructure is up on the bridge over I-77. Workers were on site all night and by 7 a.m they were tightening and adjusting the stainless steel cables, just like the rigging on a big sailboat. Workers said they expect to finish this afternoon, well ahead of schedule. The NC DOT said […]
Part of I-485 will be named for H. Allen Tate Jr.
Jan. 15 The new stretch of Interstate 485 in Mecklenburg County will be named in honor of H. Allen Tate, Jr., founder of Allen Tate Co. Tate, who launched the company in 1957, has been a longtime proponent of transportation issues, serving as chair of the Charlotte Chamber’s Regional Roads Committee, the Toll Roads Solutions […]
Hwy. 3 ‘superstreet’ includes beautification, bike-friendly design
By Dave Vieser North Carolina Highway 3, so numbered in honor of the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., will have a new wider look in the very near future. Construction on a $32.1 million widening plan in Kannapolis is slated to begin in 2016, and property needed to accommodate the wider road is already being acquired […]
It’s open
After months of off and on construction, the DDI at I-77 is wide open in each direction. Next up: Gov. McCrory comes to Cornelius to christen the sailboat-like bridge.
Groovy
Jan. 10 This machine is ‘grooving’ the pavement on the I-77/Catawba bridge to prevent skids. The east – bound side is done. Local officials are guessing another 3 hours for the west – bound lanes. Will the bridge open late this afternoon? Town commissioners Jim Duke and Woody Washam hope so. This is all part […]
UPDATE Cornelius DDI closing midnight for up to 24 hours
UPDATE By Dave Vieser Jan. 9 Even in its final phases, the construction of the DDI at Exit 28 is still a road to controversy. Attentive Cornelius motorists have probably noticed by now that the electronic sign message about this weekend’s closure contradicts what the town says on its website. The town said the work could […]
