ANALYSIS. May 26. An “I-77 Business Transportation Summit” will be held at Michael Waltrip Racing at 4 pm Thursday. The hosts are power brokers in the Lake Norman business, tourism and economic scene: Larry Johns, chief financial officer of Michael Waltrip Racing in Cornelius, and Richard Zulman, CEO of BestCo, formerly BestSweet, a major employer in Mooresville.The business leaders are stirring […]
May 21. Amidst the background of the Exit 28 Ridiculousness Facebook page whose profile picture is “Cintra Sucks Money Out Of The Local Economy,” more local business leaders are starting to speak out on their own, independent of any chamber of commerce. Indeed, a petition calling for an independent review of the now-signed 50-year deal […]
Below is an e-mail from Vince Winegardner: Please forward to business owner and others who need to take action – Everyone in Lake Norman! ACTION NEEDED BY YOU. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION AND CONTACT GOVERNOR McCRORY BY TUESDAY AND TELL HIM “NO TO TOLLS ON I77!” CONTACT INFO IS LISTED BELOW. Dear Northcross Master Association Business and […]
By Dave Vieser. In the wake of Gov. Pat McCrory suggesting that the state float bonds for transportation projects, State Sen. Jeff Tarte (R-District 14) has introduced legislation that would require approval from a majority of voters before any future project financed with tolls, user fees or any other direct charge to motorists could proceed. No […]
May 13. By Dave Vieser. While the members of the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission did not take any formal action regarding the I-77 toll lane controversy at their meeting tonight in Davidson, there was no lack of criticism for the state DOT on their handling of the project’s contract with Cintra(I77 Mobility Partners), the private […]
LIVE COVERAGE 5:45 PM May 1. By Michael Mezquida. Scores of protesters are gathered on the Catawba Bridge over I-77 to show there disdain for the proposed toll lanes that a Spanish company with be in charge of running. “People are moving here, so we have to plan ahead for that. Not react after they get here,” said Kathy […]
May 1. NC Rep. John Bradford, the former town commissioner who called a “time out” prior to the initial I-77 agreements with Cintra last year, says he wants to meet with NCDOT officials to discuss what appears to be a changed playing field around the toll plan. “We actually tried to meet this week,” he said. […]
May 1. Internal communications at Cornelius Town Hall say “it appears nobody has a clear understanding” of a key component in the 50-year contract with a Spanish company. Local leaders on a state level are expressing concerns about the $655 million plan but it is unclear if they will affect the “financial close” with Cintra in […]