Tracy Hamm

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Tracy Hamm

Tracy Hamm

@Tracy_Hamm

Rebuilding the southern corridor of #I77 through the heart of North Carolina’s largest city cannot wait until the 2030s. Accelerate #I5718 now. #clt #clttraffic

Charlotte, NC Katılım Kasım 2008
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
Then Charlotte and Mecklenburg County will deserve the traffic and economic misery that will befall our state's largest city in the years and decades to come. If they are successful and this project is stopped, those who vote no now should not clutch their pearls and act shocked when nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in state transportation funds are reallocated elsewhere and NCDOT says, 'See you in the 2040s, or later.' Perhaps voters will eventually see through it all, but if recent elections are any indication, that's quite doubtful. We always get the government we deserve and, well, that's going to be on full display in Charlotte as the rest of this decade unfolds. #I77 #I5718 #clt #clttraffic #NCcommerce #NCbusiness
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Joe Bruno
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9·
Councilman Mitchell says he voted to not rescind support of the I-77 toll lane project because he was warned by the city attorney that recission could have consequences for Charlotte wsoctv.com/news/local/see…
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Joe Bruno
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9·
Councilman James Smuggie Mitchell is doubling down. He says he will not run for mayor in 2027 if he is appointed interim mayor. I told him this clip will be shared nonstop if he is appointed and chooses to run anyway #CLTCC @wsoctv
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
Do you expect any conversation around I-77? I realize their work here is done, and CRTPO went on to do exactly what the majority of council wanted. But because the now-longer term solution for this beleaguered corridor remains such a critical issue, and with the CRTPO action coming only less than a week ago, thought they might at least acknowledge (posture, project, grandstand) on the elephant in the room, the role of said elephant regionally and statewide notwithstanding. #I77 #I5718 #clt #clttraffic #cltcc #ncdot
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Joe Bruno
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9·
36 people signed up to address Charlotte City Council tonight about a potential data center moratorium. Before the data center public hearing is regular public forum, where anyone can talk about anything. Another 15 people signed up for that. So it will be another long night
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
How about a direct connector between I-85 and CLT? Absurd the world's now-6th busiest airport in our state's largest city doesn't have one, forcing motorists to travel through multiple traffic signals regardless of which interstate they use. Flyovers at I-85 now make the most sense as the city and state have made it near impossible for such a connector from either I-485 (this was considered when the western section was being designed) or I-77. #clt
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Congressman Tim Moore
Congressman Tim Moore@RepTimMooreNC·
This morning, I joined Charlotte Douglas International Airport CEO Haley Gentry for a tour of the terminal following the announcement they will recieve $28M for infrastructure repairs. We were accompanied by Charlotte City Council Member Ed Driggs and NCDOT Board Member Stephen Rosenburgh. With CLT continuing to grow as one of the busiest airports in the world, I’ll keep fighting for common-sense improvements that keep travel safe and efficient for the entire region.
Congressman Tim Moore tweet mediaCongressman Tim Moore tweet mediaCongressman Tim Moore tweet mediaCongressman Tim Moore tweet media
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
Do you know how Mayor Dalton voted on #I77 South previously? As we all know, the CRTPO board first voted on tolls for the south corridor in 2007, then first voted on a P3 funding model in 2014. The board would then spend the next 12 years after the 2014 vote supporting the P3 process as I-77 moved through the STIP. Mayor Dalton may not have been on the CRTPO board all of this time, but how did he vote on the matter prior to last week's vote to rescind? If his tenure did not include the entire NINETEEN YEARS (again since 2007) that we all knew the corridor was planned to be tolled, then how did Mint Hill's CRTPO representative vote along the way? If Mint Hill supported the project for 19 years and only voted no last week, then that's part of the story too.
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Joe Bruno
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9·
Mint Hill Mayor Dale Dalton sent me this email to explain why he voted to kill the I-77 south toll lane project: "I don’t believe in the project. It’s not working now and to spend that much money to do the same doesn’t make sense. I would rather widen 485 airport side."
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
The wannabe mayor in #Monroe could take a lesson from the mayor of Mint Hill on how to properly explain a vote to rescind #I77. Her word salad said nothing (hope you will push her on this @JoeBrunoWSOC9), while Mayor Dalton at least offered a specific rationale for his vote. Monroe deserves better, as does the region. x.com/i/status/20583…
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
@0GHoss1 Let's not forget the newly widened I-40 in Raleigh, now 10 lanes southeast of the Beltline and always green on Google Maps. #itsgoodtoberaleigh
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
Yet the statement does not say why she voted to rescind, only that she "voted on the issue that was actually before the board." Nowhere does she say why she voted the way she did, only that she voted. No one should accept this word salad non-answer. Choose wisely, #Monroe voters, because your representative can't even explain the rationale behind her decision. #I77
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Joe Bruno
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9·
Monroe’s CRTPO representative Surluta Anthony shares why she voted to rescind support of the I-77 South toll lane project.
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
How naive. The plan that the councilman just helped kill was the last "new plan" for I-77 South, and it took 19 years to get to the starting line that week's vote erased. Keep in mind that this was before it was going to take another decade to deliver the project, so the region that first voted for toll lanes for I-77 South in 2007 was on track to wait nearly 30 years before the lanes were delivered. Now, unless the councilman has been told otherwise by the General Assembly, there's no indication that the legislature has any plans to significantly alter its STI transportation funding law, which means whatever "new plan" emerges will have to work its way through the STIP just like the plan that failed did. But if he is, in fact, right about another "new plan," then hopefully, City Council and CRTPO won't kill it too at the last minute 19 years from now and we'll finally have delivery in ... *checks notes, minor math, carry the 1* ... circa 2050. Thanks, councilman.
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Joe Bruno
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9·
NCDOT is putting the nails in the coffin. The I-77 South toll lane project is dead. The CRTPO killed it. The community engagement center is closed. $600 million will head to other parts of the state. Statement: Thank you for your continued interest and engagement in the I-77 South Express Lanes Project. As you may know, earlier this week, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) voted to rescind its support for a toll-backed public-private partnership (P3) delivery of the project. This follows a vote by the Charlotte City Council to rescind its support for P3 delivery of the project. A 2024 analysis determined that the project is only financially feasible as a toll-backed P3 delivery. As a result of CRTPO's decision, NCDOT will need to remove the project from the State Transportation Improvement Plan to maintain compliance with federal requirements. The $600 million in project funds will be redistributed to other eligible projects around the state through the state's prioritization process for transportation projects. In addition, the approximately $100 million in bonus allocation funding awarded for the use of tolls would no longer be made available. The Community Engagement Center was established earlier this year to help gather feedback from the community to inform and guide the project, as well as to provide information and resources throughout the life of the project. Due to the project's current status, the Center is now closed. All future engagement events and discussions on community benefits and corridor improvements related to the project have also been canceled. The department has also stopped work around advanced property acquisition. Again, thank you for your engagement and interest in the project. It was your feedback that helped inform reconnection opportunities along the corridor and other potential benefits that the project could bring. We value our partnership with the City of Charlotte and CRTPO and remain committed to delivering projects that local governments and planners ask us to deliver. If you have questions for NCDOT, please visit our Contact Us website.
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Lawrence Shaheen Jr.
Lawrence Shaheen Jr.@LawrenceShaheen·
In case you were wondering #ncpol.
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9

NCDOT is putting the nails in the coffin. The I-77 South toll lane project is dead. The CRTPO killed it. The community engagement center is closed. $600 million will head to other parts of the state. Statement: Thank you for your continued interest and engagement in the I-77 South Express Lanes Project. As you may know, earlier this week, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) voted to rescind its support for a toll-backed public-private partnership (P3) delivery of the project. This follows a vote by the Charlotte City Council to rescind its support for P3 delivery of the project. A 2024 analysis determined that the project is only financially feasible as a toll-backed P3 delivery. As a result of CRTPO's decision, NCDOT will need to remove the project from the State Transportation Improvement Plan to maintain compliance with federal requirements. The $600 million in project funds will be redistributed to other eligible projects around the state through the state's prioritization process for transportation projects. In addition, the approximately $100 million in bonus allocation funding awarded for the use of tolls would no longer be made available. The Community Engagement Center was established earlier this year to help gather feedback from the community to inform and guide the project, as well as to provide information and resources throughout the life of the project. Due to the project's current status, the Center is now closed. All future engagement events and discussions on community benefits and corridor improvements related to the project have also been canceled. The department has also stopped work around advanced property acquisition. Again, thank you for your engagement and interest in the project. It was your feedback that helped inform reconnection opportunities along the corridor and other potential benefits that the project could bring. We value our partnership with the City of Charlotte and CRTPO and remain committed to delivering projects that local governments and planners ask us to deliver. If you have questions for NCDOT, please visit our Contact Us website.

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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
@JoeBrunoWSOC9 Perhaps now that city leaders have worked so hard to successfully kill #I77 South, they can spare a scintilla of effort to deliver Charlotte Gateway Station. What say you, #cltcc @CLTgov? #clt
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
Such nonsensical answers, a word salad at best with no specifics on where Charlotte goes from here. Except to use GPS and get on 485! Yes, get on the also-underbuilt and overwhelmed outerbelt and see how that goes through either Mint Hill (still only two lanes in each direction) or Steele Creek (as gridlocked as #I77). So novel. Heaven help our state's largest city because #cltcc has no answers on a path forward. #clt
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WFAE
WFAE@WFAE·
Charlotte City Council member Renee Johnson led last week’s successful effort to withdraw Charlotte’s support for the toll lane project — a move that helped set the latest vote in motion. buff.ly/itIKU58
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
Another solid perspective on #I77. Where we go from here, no one really knows, though who's going to sue whom is going to be fascinating. But it is now clearer than ever that Charlotte can no longer see the forest for the trees as demonstrated, as you note, by a hair trigger reaction to say no without the first consideration of the consequences. I look forward to hearing the reaction from the General Assembly, including @ncspeakerhall, on whether there is any role for the legislature on such a critical mobility and economic development matter that impacts the state from Boone to Brunswick and every district in between. To be sure, though, if history (and the STI law) is any guide, the rural-dominated Assembly will simply go 🤷‍♂️ x.com/i/status/20542…
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
Shorter: #cltcc @CLTRegionalTPO: FA @NCDOT: FO x.com/i/status/20542…
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9

The view from NCDOT. Ultimately NCDOT does whatever CRTPO tells them to. You want the project dead? It’s dead. But, the region is rejecting $700 million and starting over. Any new project has to go through the whole process again. It may be 10 years before a new project is even considered. The $700 million will go to other communities and projects. All while traffic on I-77 gets worse. 160,000 vehicles use 77 a day and this part of 77 has a crash rate 2.5x higher than the statewide average, per DOT

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Joe Bruno
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9·
Statement from Charlotte City Councilmember Renee Johnson. Without her motion, this doesn’t happen Today, the people spoke... and the people won. Communities across our region made it clear that they wanted a genuine voice in the process, not a process with a pre-determined outcome. Six of us intentionally voted in support of the rescission, and I thank my colleagues who stood with the community and recognized the importance of restoring public trust in this process. This was never about stopping progress. It was about making sure the public is respected, heard, and included before decisions of this magnitude move forward. Infrastructure planning must be transparent, collaborative, and community-driven. I look forward to working with our state & regional partners to create a process rooted in meaningful public engagement, thoughtful analysis, and real exploration of all available options, without assumptions already made before the community conversation even begins. When residents organize, engage, and stand together, their voices matter. This is proof of that.
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RetroNewsNow
RetroNewsNow@RetroNewsNow·
🎉Judge Reinhold celebrates his 69th birthday today
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
@JoeBrunoWSOC9 Mayor Higdon's condescending tone toward the CRTPO attorney for exercising his fiduciary responsibility to the board and its members was nothing short of disgraceful. #matthews
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Joe Bruno
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9·
Other thoughts from tonight’s vote Not sure if Monroe’s rep had a full grasp on the situation. Same with a few other municipalities Mint Hill’s rep voted to defer but then ended up voting to kill the project Matthews Mayor John Higdon pushed for this vote tonight. This doesn’t happen without him. Pineville mayor goes MIA with like two minutes left in meeting. On purpose? Smuggie held the line for CLT even though he was against this. There was possibly an out for him to say he didn’t mind if this was delayed— although he would have gotten tons of backlash for this Everyone could use a Robert’s Rules of Order refresher. Lawsuit probably is coming. There are so many municipalities on the CRTPO. I haven’t been to all of them even though I’ve lived here for 12 years. Fairview? Mineral Springs? Production quality of the CRTPO live stream is unfortunately not up to par with CLTCC and MeckBOCC. Whether you are in favor or against anyone who watched the meeting probably would agree the CRTPO attorney deserves a drink after tonight.
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Joe Bruno
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9·
For those trying to catch up. The CRTPO vote tonight kills the I-77 toll lane project from South Carolina to Uptown. The toll lanes from Uptown to Mooresville are staying. That’s a 50 year contract.
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
But back to the concepts. Someone has to ask, and NCDOT has to answer, what are the costs involved and how would they be funded? Would they simply be rolled into the larger project at a new price tag paid for and delivered by the P3 developer? Or is all of this simply a wish list of admittedly impressive designs that would need their own funding solution, either in a future STIP or, god forbid, by the city. If the latter, and to your original post, they will NEVER be built as the STIP can't deliver in the near term and the city can't deliver at all (see Charlotte Gateway Station, new rail lines before 2040, competent leadership, etc.)
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
Indeed. These concepts are right up there with the shoulder-use lanes promised for I-77 North after that project blew up. Touted at the time as a response to listening to all the late concern (sound familiar?), these lanes have been promised between I-485 and NC 150 since the express lanes opened in 2019. The shoulder lanes were first to have begun construction in 2025. Then they were delayed to start in 2027. Then they were delayed to start in 2029, and that's where we are today, though highly unlikely this will hold given the project and DOT's deliver history. What's especially maddening is this was an opportunity to deliver a modicum of relief to motorists after the controversial express lanes opened, and the shoulder project was touted at the time as a near-term priority. Now it’s become yet another undelivered project beset by years and years of delays. North Meck, and the region has a whole, should be furious that the shoulder-use lanes are now tracking to take up to 15 years (longer if there's another delay) to open.
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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
To be sure, I-42 is really all about getting peeps to the Crystal Coast. From Beaufort and Atlantic Beach to Emerald Isle and Indian Beach, can't have any stoplights between the Capital City and the ocean! The small port they'll pass along the way simply gives economic development teams across eastern North Carolina a talking point.
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Jared Blank
Jared Blank@jaredsblank·
Raleigh is really about to get mad at us for not wasting their money on toll lanes
Joe Bruno@JoeBrunoWSOC9

NCDOT Secretary Daniel Johnson sent Mayor Vi Lyles this letter to let her know the potential implications of the CRTPO rescinding its support of the I-77 toll lane project. It warns that the region will lose the $600 million set aside for this project and the $100 million in bonus allocation funds. It also says any new project must start over in terms of planning, environmental and prioritization The mayor forwarded this letter to Charlotte City Council over the weekend. She said, "the decisions that are made in the coming weeks and months, will have lasting impacts on our region." She also referenced how Raleigh is perceiving this. "Additionally, you may have seen recent public interviews from members of the North Carolina General Assembly regarding other potential implications, given the 60M already expended. I reached out to a few members who confirmed these types of discussions are occurring in real time." The CRTPO meets this week but the I-77 item is not on the agenda as of now. #ncpol @wsoctv

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Tracy Hamm
Tracy Hamm@Tracy_Hamm·
I-42, ba-by! Gotta have better mobility between our state's second largest city and its second largest port! And bonus: The entire U.S. 70 corridor is actively being converted to said interstate at the same time. James City, you get a bypass. Havelock, you get one too. Kinston, you're next. Ah, to live in Raleigh, exit off the Beltline onto the newly widened 10-lane I-40, sweep through the massive turbine interchange at Complete 540 (another accelerated freeway despite its $2.5 billion cost) and slingshot down future and current I-42 while passing through one construction project after another until you reach Morehead City. Wait, NCDOT says the STI transportation funding law and its corresponding STIP takes politics out of highway construction? Riiiiight.
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