I-77 Toll Road: All 26 Miles Of Express Lanes Now Open

CORNELIUS, NC — After four years of construction, the final section the I-77 Express toll road opened over the weekend, meaning drivers may now use all 26 miles of the expressway linking Mooresville to uptown Charlotte.

The 11-mile section of toll road from Interstate 485 to Interstate 277 opened at 8 p.m. Nov. 16, I-77 Mobility Partners.

The milestone also means introductory discounted toll rates will soon end, say project officials. Dynamic pricing is set to begin Dec. 1.

“Since I-77 Express opened on June 1 in the Lake Norman area, more than 2.7 million trips have been taken on the express lanes by over 515,000 different vehicles,” Javier Tamargo, CEO of I-77 Mobility Partners, said in a statement.

According to the private company overseeing the infrastructure project's construction and operation, the new toll lanes have improved travel in both express and general purpose lanes.

“In October, average speeds during the morning rush hour increased by 15%, and speeds during the afternoon rush hour increased by 17% when compared to pre-opening speeds in October of 2018,” I-77 Mobility Partners said.

We want to know what you think — have the toll roads improved traffic in the Lake Norman area? Sound off in the comment section!

Here are some tips for how to use the express lanes, says I-77 Mobility Partners:

• Drivers can take a virtual ride now on I-77 Express by visiting www.i77express.com to learn how to use the lanes.
• The express lanes have signage one-quarter mile ahead of each segment that clearly displays the transponder toll rate applicable to drive that segment. The toll rate displayed when entering I-77 Express is the price motorists will be charged for that segment. With the full opening of I-77 Express, regular scheduled rates apply, and the current 25 percent discount will expire.
• Dynamic pricing will begin December 1, 180 days from the opening of I-77 Express on June 1. During dynamic mode, toll rates may change as often as every five minutes to accommodate changes in demand for I-77 Express. Toll rates will be based on segment length, time of day, and demand for I-77 Express.
• Using a NC Quick Pass transponder is the fastest, easiest way to pay for tolls in North Carolina and other states that accept SunPass, Peach Pass and E-ZPass transponders. For customers without a NC Quick Pass, SunPass, Peach Pass or E-ZPass transponder, cameras will capture an image of your vehicle’s license plate. NC Quick Pass will mail a bill to the vehicle’s registered owner through the Bill by Mail program.

RELATED: Toll Road Firm Pans Effort To Relieve I-77 Congestion: Report