toll lanes
Top business leaders signing anti-toll petition
May 21. Amidst the backdrop of the Exit 28 Ridiculousness Facebook page whose profile picture is “Cintra Sucks Money Out Of The Local Economy,” more local business leaders are starting to speak out on their own, independent of any chamber of commerce. Indeed, a petition calling for an independent review of the now-signed 50-year deal […]
UNCC Spanish professor cites toll lane contractor’s checkered history
May 19. By Michael Mezquida. The wife of a Cornelius town commissioner, who is also a Spanish professor at UNC-Charlotte, says the Spanish company Cintra will not be a good partner for the I-77 toll-lane project. Citing a number of foreign news sources, Diane Gilroy, whose husband is Town Commissioner Dave Gilroy, stated that Ferrovial Agroman, […]
I-77 Bonds, Toll Lanes and Unwilling Customers
Below is an e-mail from Vince Winegardner: Please forward to business owner and others who need to take action – Everyone in Lake Norman! ACTION NEEDED BY YOU. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION AND CONTACT GOVERNOR McCRORY BY TUESDAY AND TELL HIM “NO TO TOLLS ON I77!” CONTACT INFO IS LISTED BELOW. Dear Northcross Master Association Business and […]
McCrory, DOT moving ahead with toll lanes despite towns’ wishes
May 15. Governor McCrory said yesterday he would not delay the I-77 toll project despite recent resolutions passed by Cornelius, Huntersville and Davidson asking him to do so. An elected official who was adamantly opposed to the toll-lane project reacted bluntly to the governor’s decision to forge ahead. “We’re basically screwed,” he said. Related: An e-mail […]
Cornelius town board calls for a timeout on I77 toll lanes.
Resolution seeking 90 day moratorium heading for the Governor By Dave Vieser. With a large turnout of residents looking on, the Cornelius Town Board unanimously passed a resolution at their May 4 meeting calling on the state to impose a 90-day moratorium regarding the I-77 toll lane project. The unprecedented action comes just days before the […]
About 75 toll protesters gather at Exit 28 bridge
LIVE COVERAGE 5:45 PM May 1. By Michael Mezquida. Scores of protesters are gathered on the Catawba Bridge over I-77 to show their disdain for the proposed toll lanes that a Spanish company will be in charge of running. “People are moving here, so we have to plan ahead for that. Not react after they get […]
Internal memo reveals ‘nobody has a clear understanding’ of part of the I-77 contract
May 1. Internal communications at Cornelius Town Hall say “it appears nobody has a clear understanding” of a key component in the 50-year contract with a Spanish company. Local leaders on a state level are expressing concerns about the $655 million plan but it is unclear if they will affect the “financial close” with Cintra in […]
Widen I-77 statement on protest Friday at Exit 28; police plan hands-off approach
April 28. The region-wide debate over tolling I-77 continues to heat up. A loose confederation of toll opponents plans to stage a protest complete with signs starting at4:30 pm Friday. Widen I-77 issued this statement: “Widen I77.org supports the efforts of all citizens and groups fighting the plan to build toll lanes in the Lake Norman […]
More developments around I-77 Public-private finance plan.
Letter from Vince Winegardner: As you may know, The TIFIA Credit Council recommended approval for Federal taxpayer backing for $189 million. It is probable Cintra/I77 Mobility Partners will gain bond market approval for this key bond and the NC DOT will sign the FC before the May 17th deadline. This final step had been delayed for […]
Protests planned for Exit 28 bridge. Gilroy expects ‘public outcry and revolt’
April 27. It looks like a group of anti-toll activists will converge near the Exit 28 bridgeFriday evening to protest plans for tolls as a way to widen I-77 between Lake Norman and Charlotte. It is apparently being organized by people not directly associated with Widen I-77, but leaders of the well-known anti-toll group will participate. […]
