NCDOT has shortlisted four teams for the $3.2 billion I-77 South Express Lanes project in Mecklenburg County.
The project will add managed express lanes along 11 miles of I-77 from the South Carolina state line to I-277/N.C. 16 in Charlotte. Planned improvements include two express lanes in each direction, interchange reconstructions, bridge upgrades, and new direct connectors to the express lanes.
The shortlisted teams are Carolina Connectors; I-77 Cross-State Connectors; Queen City Infrastructure Partners; and 77SouthLink. Carolina Connectors includes ACS Infrastructure Development, FlatironDragados, Kiewit Development Company, and Meridiam. Other shortlisted teams include combinations of Plenary Americas, Acciona, Ferrovial Construction, Sacyr, Cintra, John Laing, and other equity and construction partners.
NCDOT is advancing the project as a public-private partnership. This is a public-private partnership between NCDOT and the selected private concessionaire, which will design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the facility under a long-term agreement.
The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization originally requested the toll project under state law. Planning and development remain underway, and NCDOT has not announced final construction start or completion dates.
The project aims to manage congestion and improve travel-time reliability along one of the region’s most heavily traveled freight and commuter corridors. The express lanes will connect with existing managed lanes on I-77 and I-485 to strengthen the regional express lanes network.