CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three Charlotte-area legislators are planning to unveil a bill Monday that could result in changes to the I-77 toll lane project.
Critics of the project have complained North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and the Department of Transportation have not moved swiftly enough to deliver promised changes.
The new bill is sponsored by State Representatives Chaz Beasley and Christy Clark along with State Senator Natasha Marcus.
Beasley said the legislation, if passed, “will give the DOT more flexibility to modify or cancel the contract.”
The toll lane project is being built by a private company from Spain that will then set the rates and collect the tolls along the 26 mile stretch of road that has cost an estimated $640 million.
Many of the drivers who use I-77 said the tolls will unfairly punish frequent users.
“People are going to second-guess taking jobs or going into Charlotte. I think it's going to affect the economy around here," said Bruce Brown.
The proposed bill, the sponsors said in a press release, would be a first critical step “to getting a better deal for I-77 drivers.”
The bill could allow for changes such as allowing the use of the shoulders during peak traffic times, letting smaller trucks use the toll lanes to relieve congestion in the free lanes, and establish a rebate program for frequent users of toll lanes.
The sponsors will detail the legislation at a news conference on Monday.