CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chaos, confusion, danger … all words drivers are using to describe the highly anticipated grand opening of a portion of the I-77 toll lanes linking Uptown Charlotte and Lake Norman.
The nearly $700 million project was years in the making, and aims to relieve traffic.
Over the weekend it sprung the launch on drivers, who now have some strong words about how the toll lanes are working out after all the anticipation.
Given the typical nightmarish rush hour I-77 traffic, the express lane was a glimmering promise of relief.
But after this weekend’s partial rollout, some drivers weren't too happy.
“I hate it," Christa Williams shrugged. “In my opinion it sucks. They didn’t announce it anywhere they just said 'open.' Everybody’s like, 'Well they didn’t prepare us for this!'”
Some say the confusion has just caused more traffic as cars fight to merge.
“We don’t know if it’s open or not," one driver said. "You see the signs up there saying it’s open but who knows."
Project leaders are encouraging people to purchase the NC quick pass to avoid getting a bill in the mail.
“The express lanes are a new facility, so it will take time for drivers to get used to the new lanes," NCDOT said in a statement. "With any new project opening, we encourage drivers who choose to use the lanes to allow extra time to get used to the new travel option. This is only a section of the project to open and other areas remain under construction.”
