anti-toll
Bumps ahead: Process to use HOV lanes requires planning or transponder
Oct. 15. By Dave Vieser. Even in a pandemic, the toll lanes which continue to haunt Lake Norman area politicians, also haunt local motorists. For example, motorists with three passengers or more traveling from Cornelius to Charlotte and seeking to use the toll lanes for free must navigate a rather difficult process while being clairvoyant. […]
Much-heralded I-77 ‘solution’ could take years
Aug. 15. By Dave Vieser and Dave Yochum. One defeated governor, a Facebook page with 10,000 followers and three vivid community protests later, the NCDOT now says it will see to it that Lake Norman eventually gets one new general purpose lane and one new toll lane on I-77. However, the cost to tear up […]
Solution to I-77 still stuck in legislation congestion
June 20. By Dave Vieser. When NC Rep. John Bradford went on Facebook to say he had some “incredible good news” about the hated I-77 toll lanes, everyone paid attention. The news was that the House of Representatives was working on legislation to create a source to fund a modification of the CINTRA toll lane contract. Incredible it […]
I-77 bill faces tougher test in Senate
June 13. By Dave Vieser. It’s a given that a bill introduced by NC Rep. John Bradford which would create a fund for paying changes in the I-77 toll lane contract will face a tougher challenge in the NC Senate, but local officials, including Bradford, are optimistic. HB 1029 would create a NCDOT reserve account […]
Is a single general purpose lane on I-77 between Exit 23 and Exit 28 going to help?
March 16. By Dave Vieser. Members of the I77 Advisory Group took a hard look at several toll lane options, including the possibility of converting one of the toll lanes between Exit 23 and Exit 28 into a general purpose lane. The idea, which comes out of the Mercator consultant report, did not go over big with […]
Alphabet soup of agencies would review new I-77 plan
Feb. 15. By Dave Yochum. ANALYSIS. The second meeting of the I-77 Advisory Group got under way yesterday with former Chamber Chair Mike Russell announcing that there were emergency exits on either side of a packed meeting room. “Just don’t take 77,” Chamber CEO Bill Russell interjected. It was a touch of dark humor […]
Next meetings of toll group will be open to media, public
Feb. 7. By Dave Vieser. UPDATED. The sun will shine at the Feb. 14 and Feb. 22 meetings of the I-77 Advisory Group at the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce. “The next meeting will be livestreamed,” said DOT spokeswoman Carly Olexik. “There will be some space for members of the public and media to attend as […]
Cornelius Town Board members attend Davidson Town Board
Dec. 14. In a mutual show of respect and solidarity, all five members of the new Cornelius Town Board as well as Mayor Woody Washam attended the Davidson Town Board meeting Tuesday. It was the good kind of payback: Monday a week ago, all five members of the new Davidson Board of Commissioners attended the […]
Washam era begins, anti-toll leader takes seat on town board
Dec. 5. By Dave Yochum. What America is known for, democracy and the orderly transfer of power, occurred as planned Monday night at Town Hall. Newly installed Mayor Woody Washam started by presiding over a public hearing on a proposed daycare center on Westmoreland. Traffic concerns were immediately raised by residents and the new Board of Commissioners. […]
Voter turn-out looks strong in local election
ELECTION DAY 4 PM. BY Dave Yochum. Voter turn-out looks higher than in previous off-years as Election Day winds down in Cornelius where 11 people are running for five seats on the Town Board. Almost all of the candidates are out at the Jetton Park or Town Hall polling places greeting voters and hoping to […]
