Mecklenburg BOCC Set To Pass Anti-Toll Resolution
The Mecklenburg County Commissioners will pass a resolution asking for the termination of the contract between I-77 Mobility Partners (parent company CINTRA) and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
E-mail from Commissioner Jim Puckett:
“From: Puckett, Jim
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2015
Subject: Resolution to terminate I-77 Contract
I am glad to announce that the attached resolution requesting a termination of the I-77 toll contract and the subsequent request for the governor to add the I-77 general purpose lane widening to his Connect NC bond package (or use of other funding means he or the legislature deem timely and appropriate) has the required support from commissioners for the item to be placed on our next general meeting agenda on June 16th. I am also proud to announce I have more than enough votes committed from commissioners to pass the resolution.
-Jim Puckett, District One Mecklenburg County Commissioner”
THE RESOLUTION READS AS FOLLOWS:
MECKLENBURG BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT WITH “CINTRA/I-77 MOBILITY PARTNERS” TO TOLL I-77 FOR 50 YEAERS and SUBSEQUENT REQUEST FOR ALTERNATIVE FUNDING
WHEREAS, the Final Draft of the Comprehensive Agreement between the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and I-77 Mobility Partners (the Developer) requires the NCDOT to compensate the Developer if any future interstate improvement results in a decrease in toll revenues along the planned I-77 HOT lane corridor; and
WHEREAS, Governor McCrory has a bond referendum that could fund widening of Interstate 77 (I-77) with general purpose lanes and even without the bond there are funds available to widen I-77 without a 50 year toll lane contract; and
WHEREAS, the motorsports community, members of the manufacturing sector, service and retail sectors, as well as other business owners have come out against the toll lane plan outlining how the current toll based plan will hurt their businesses; and
WHEREAS, in recent polls, more than 90 percent of our constituents in north Mecklenburg and Iredell Counties oppose the 50-year toll contract for I-77; and
WHEREAS, I-77 can be widened for approximately $100 million dollars using public funds that citizens have paid for through the gasoline tax, and the toll lane project will cost state taxpayers approximately $240 million dollars; and
WHEREAS, the toll lane project aims to gross $34 million a year from drivers on the HOT lanes, which is likely to impact our local economy as a result of less discretionary income; and
WHEREAS, Interstate 77 is a primary evacuation route for two nuclear power stations in the event of an accident or terrorist attack, and the fastest, least-intrusive manner to add capacity to I-77 is with general purpose lanes from near exit 23 to 36, which does not require tearing down of bridges and other unnecessary and complex work that is required to accommodate toll lanes; hire accident lawyers or click here for further information.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, on the behalf of the citizens that we represent, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners respectfully ask that the planned 50 year toll contract for Interstate 77 between the NCDOT, I-77 Mobility Partners, and CINTRA of Spain be immediately terminated and the widening of I-77 with general purpose lanes begin as soon as reasonably possible.
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