CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The southern section of I-77 Express stretching from I-485 to I-277 in uptown Charlotte opened Saturday at 8 p.m. Drivers are now able to use all 26 miles of the express lanes.
It comes after four years of construction. The nearly $700 million project has been a political lightning rod for controversy.
I-77 Express first opened June 1 in the Lake Norman area. Since then, over 2.7 million trips have been taken on the express lanes by more than 515,000 vehicles, according to I-77 Mobility Partners.
“We are proud to make this private investment to develop the first managed lanes in North Carolina," Javier Tamargo, CEO of I-77 Mobility Partners, said in part in a statement. "Through partnership with NCDOT and Sugar Creek Construction, we are able to deliver this project and other infrastructure improvements along the existing portion of I-77 sooner than traditional funding would have allowed for the State of North Carolina and motorists."
The express lanes run adjacent to the existing general lanes on Interstate 77. The number of general-purpose lanes hasn't changed.
Average speeds during the morning rush hour in October increased by 15% with the available express lanes, and speeds during the afternoon rush hour increased by 17% when compared to pre-opening speeds in October of 2018, according to I-77 Mobility Partners.
For some commuters, the lane additions are a big deal.
"I've been on a lot of highways across the country and 77 I feel like is one of, if not the worst, I've ever been on," one man told NBC Charlotte.
Phil Chambless took the express lanes for the first time Sunday night. He said it cut his commute from Huntersville to Charlotte in half.
"It's something this area's needed for a good while," Chambless said.
Right now, signs show the rate drivers would pay. Beginning December 1, rates will depend on how many cars are using the lanes -- more cars mean you'll pay more money.
Officials say Cintra will still face daily fines because, despite the lanes opening, there is still work being done.
Anyone planning to use the tolls will want to get an NC Quick Pass. Otherwise, a camera will capture vehicles' license plates, and bills will be sent in the mail.
In addition to the new express lanes, I-77 Mobility Partners announced the following improvements, replacements or new additions were made:
- New direct connector ramps at I-277/Brookshire Freeway into and from I-77 Express
- Replaced I-277 southbound ramp to I-77 Southbound
- Replaced Oaklawn Avenue bridge and added new sidewalks, bike lanes and lighting
- Replaced LaSalle Street bridge and added new sidewalks, bike lanes and lighting, extended I-77 on-ramp to the I-85 interchange
- New direct connector ramps providing access to I-85
- Replaced Lakeview and Hambright Road bridges, and added sidewalks, bike lanes and lighting, and new direct connector ramps to I-77 Express.
- New pedestrian tunnel under I-77 in Huntersville for future connection of the Torrence Creek Greenway
- New roundabouts at the Griffith Street Bridge for the Town of Davidson
- Installed more than 1 million square feet of noise walls along the corridor
- Rehabilitated general-purpose lanes in the corridor
