CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Something we can all agree on, traffic on I-77 is brutal.
So what’s being done to help relieve it? The state has been tossing around the idea of allowing people to drive on the shoulders. During peak hours, the shoulders from Huntersville to Mooresville would be open, adding extra lanes to hopefully keep things moving.
People who are pushing this idea says it only makes sense. They’re working on this plan but actual relief won’t be coming anytime soon.
"Sometimes you’ll be waiting forever to get off at an exit or someone will come into your lane to get off of an exit," says Courtney Malcom from Charlotte.
Traffic is so bad, the I-77 project has come to this, possibly opening the shoulders during peak hours in hopes of alleviating some congestion.
“I think it would cut out a lot of time and congestion,” says Malcom.
The NCDOT is moving along on the idea, discussing plans at a meeting last night. All they need now is funding.
"We need to get it planned and designed, we need to get it funded, and then get it approved by FHWA," says Van Argabright with NCDOT.
But some drivers worry it’s not the best or safest option.
“You need that emergency lane traffic will just have to slow up or you just need to find a new way to go home," says Norman Ford of Huntersville.
“With construction equipment going, many of the construction workers can’t hear any accidents that might happen, cars that are might drive off the road," says Kaitlyn Hill of Huntersville.
“Driving on the shoulders is kind of risky because you get potholes on the end and that could throw you off the road," says Connors Barnes of Charlotte.
NCDOT will ask CRTPO for funding reallocation in July. They're expected to hold a meeting for the public in September.