CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mecklenburg County Commissioners are taking a closer look at how a controversial state highway project could impact air, land and water in the county. NCDOT has been facing a lot of backlash for its plan to ease congestion along Interstate 77 by building elevated toll lanes. T he latest design of the $3.2 billion dollar project would would impact 11 parks four greenways and four streams. Wilmore Park would become part of the interstate pushing the community closer to the highway. “When the taxpayers dollars go to buy park land, to do the greenways all the investment that we put in this for so many years we’re going to fight to protect it,” Commissioner Elaine Powell, Chair of the Environmental Stewardship Committee said. County Commissioners heard the land, air and water impact of the project for the first time Tuesday afternoon. Commissioners asked county staff to study how the highway could change county property. “Redirecting streams, creeks, I mean people homes? This is a bridge too far. no pun intended…well maybe it’s intended” Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell from District 6 said. Commissioners accuse NCDOT of not being transparent about the impacts of the project back in October when maps were released. “Do not ask for us to work with you when you hide the ball about such tremendously important aspects and considerations until you argue it’s too late for us to do anything about it ” Commissioner Leigh Altman said. “I do not agree that it’s too late.” After backlash from the community and elected officials, NCDOT agreed to delay hiring vendors and contractors for 90 days, but commissioners say that’s not enough. “We need to end it and start over. I understand we have congestion. There are other ways. Let’s think outside the box,” Commissioner Laura Meier from District 5 said. NCDOT says less than 15% of the design is complete and federal regulations require them to minimize harm to parks and historic sites. “We’re trying to listen to the residents about their community, their community priorities, and how we can incorporate those into the project,” Felix Obregon, NCDOT Engineer said. “ “That’s part of the reason that we’re having this extended listening time to be able to listen to the community, hear about the priorities, and we’re having this the office building, with office Hours and in person communication as well, to listen to their priorities and community and how we can incorporate community benefits into the project.” NCDOT is still working to secure a space for the community engagement center somewhere on the west side of town. There’s still no timeline on when that will happen. Right now, the plan is for NCDOT to start the process of hiring vendors for this project by June 2026. ...read more read less