NCDOT’s New I-77 Community Engagement Center
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will be expanding I-77 in the City of Charlotte from Uptown to the South Carolina state line. The multi-billion dollar expansion plan will add two express toll lanes in each direction, rebuilt interchanges and bridges, and new direct access to toll lanes; all with the hopes of reducing congestion and cutting travel times, according to NCDOT. The expansion has become polarizing within the community because of the expected impact to surrounding neighborhoods . NCDOT developed a new communication plan to help interact with the communities that may be affected.
The agency says the goal is to ensure residents have more opportunities to provide feedback before major decisions are finalized. One of the biggest changes is an extended community listening period from March through June 2026. They plan to hold additional small-group meetings with residents along the corridor so they can ask questions and share concerns directly with transportation officials. The department says community feedback gathered during this period will influence the project’s development and help shape the draft Request For Proposals expected later in June.
NCDOT is also creating a Community Engagement Center within the project area. The center will serve as a hub where residents can meet with project staff in person or virtually, review project information, and discuss potential improvements or community benefits tied to the highway expansion. Officials plan to offer one-on-one appointments and virtual office hours to make participation easier for people who cannot attend traditional meetings.
NCDOT will also address concerns by adjusting design options to reduce property impacts and protect neighborhoods near the corridor.
Overall, NCDOT says these outreach efforts are meant to provide transparency and ensure the community plays a larger role in shaping the future of the I-77 corridor as planning continues.
For more on the Expansion Project See I-77 Expansion Options.