Transportation
Toll lane project in slow lane
Oct. 12. By Dave Vieser. CINTRA, the Spanish based construction company overseeing the I-77 toll lane project, has asked the NCDOT for an extension to their required contract completion date. “I can confirm that extensions have been submitted and are under consideration at this time, but no decisions have yet been made,” spokeswoman Jen Thompson […]
Road work ahead: More than $24 million in construction coming
July 25. By Dave Vieser. While discussions on social media and among residents often focus on I-77, there’s a lot more road work about to begin in and around Cornelius. As the result of a $24 million transportation bond issue approved in 2018, as well as a $20 million transportation/parks/arts bond issue approved in 2013, […]
Toll lanes open 10 am Saturday
May 31. By Dave Yochum. The northern section of the I-77 Express lanes project, from Hambright Road to Exit 36 in Mooresville, will open Saturday June 1 with little or no fanfare, no politicians, no ribbon-cutting. I-77 Mobility Partners gave the public less than 24 hours notice: The controversial toll lanes open at 10 am. […]
Toll lane logic takes a toll
May 30. By Dave Vieser. The official dictionary definition of the word shortly is “in the near future, before long, in a minute, in a moment, in an instant, or before you know it.” Apparently none of these common sense definitions apply at I-77 Mobility Partners. They have been promising since January that the I-77 […]
Despite false starts, are autonomous vehicles on the road to acceptance?
Imagine: It’s 2029 and you’re sound asleep cruising at 75 mph to a mountaintop getaway in your first autonomous vehicle, a Jaguar XJ, which looks futuristic and classic all at the same time, and performs beautifully, thanks to Tata’s brilliant designers and programmers in India where most of the population practices Hinduism. Suddenly there’s a […]
It’s just a test, but I-77 signs LIGHT UP next week
March 22. By Dave Vieser. It’s another sure sign that the I 77 toll lanes in our area will soon be open: Testing of electronic signs on I-77 between I-485 and Mooresville will begin the week of March 25. Motorists will see the digital message signs on the right-hand side of the road with rotating messages […]
New electronic readers on I-77: What do they do?
What exactly are they learning? By Debbie Griffin. Drivers in Cornelius and throughout the I-77 corridor have questions about the L-shaped poles installed in recent weeks at entrance and exit ramps along the interstate’s general lanes, which are part of the 26-mile, $647 million Express Lanes project. Commuters have questions about the technology, including Cornelius […]
NCDOT eyes 3 new roundabouts on or near Torrence Chapel
Feb. 25. By Dave Vieser. The NCDOT unveiled a $9.7 million plan for improvements at Torrence Chapel Road and West Catawba Avenue, as well as Knox Road and One Norman Blvd. The improvements—which are still proposals—include roundabouts at the Post Office, Lake Norman Chrysler opposite SteinMart and Torrence Chapel at Knox Road. A public meeting […]
I-77 advisors express frustration over lack of progress
Feb. 25. By Dave Vieser. Frustrated members of the I-77 Local Advisory Group voiced their concerns loud and clear at the conclusion of their 90 minute meeting with the NCDOT: “Tell us where the obstacles are that are preventing the I 77 toll lane contract from being canceled.” The meeting was primarily billed as an […]
I-77 stanchions will be moved
By Dave Vieser. Stanchions which were recently placed in construction zones on I-77 will be moved farther away from the general purpose lanes once paving is completed. Their location close to the current traffic lanes has generated numerous complaints from motorists. “The striping and delineator/stanchion locations are both temporary as the general contractor works on […]
