By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – About 125 people crowded into the Cornelius Town Hall board room Monday night, where leaders of the anti-toll citizens group Widen I-77 called for a halt in plans for toll lanes on I-77 north of Charlotte. The group wants the state to look for other ways of paying to widen the interstate, arguing that toll lanes won’t help congestion in the Lake Norman area and could hurt the region’s economy by scaring away businesses. Read the full story

Lake Norman-area residents and elected officials will have chance to share their views on transportation and growth during a pair of regional meetings next week in Mooresville. On Tuesday, the 14-county CONNECT Our Future” consortium will host an open house to discuss growth in the coming decades. Then on Thursday, the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission invites elected and appointed officials as well as residents to a transportation summit, looking at the policy effects of growth on the transportation system. Read the full story

 By VINCE WINEGARDNER

The NC DOT is in the final phases of approving High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes for I-77. These one or two HOT lanes will be built or converted from the currently free High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes between 5th Street in Charlotte and Exit 36 in Mooresville. A second phase envisions these HOT lanes extending all the way to Statesville.  The lanes are intended to manage traffic and offer paying drivers a faster trip along I-77 between Mooresville and Charlotte. It would not address the congestion currently experienced in the general purpose lanes. Read the full story

A trailer somehow separated from a truck on I-77 southbound just south of Exit 30 around 2:20pm Tuesday, slowing traffic on the highway.

Davidson and Cornelius rescue units responded to the scene, and found the truck in the median on the left side of the southbound lanes. Most units left soon after.

Traffic remained slow at 3:30pm.

Davidson’s Town Board will vote Tuesday night whether to remove a construction gate on June Washam Road, limiting access to the River Run Phase 5 development. The Board also will hear a presentation on economic development from expert Joe Minicozzi and get an update on the area’s victim advocate program, which helps domestic abuse victims.  Meanwhile, Mr. Minicozzi also will give a lunch presentation at Town Hall Tuesday. Read the full story

A truck went off I-77 northbound near Exit 28 around 4:30pm on Thursday, slowing traffic through the Lake Norman area at rush hour. The N.C. Department of Transportation reported that the right lane and I-77 off ramp were closed. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The state Department of Transportation’s proposal to adopt toll lanes to help finance a widening of I-77 north of Charlotte continues to draw attention in north Mecklenburg, in public and private settings. A divided Cornelius Town Board again this week declined to take a public position against the idea. And next week, the North Meck Republican Women will host a meeting Tuesday that will feature an outspoken critic of toll lanes.
Read the full story

Updated Monday Nov. 12, 2012, 7:20am
Massive traffic jams are a regular weekend headache every October and November for drivers on N.C. 73 as the Carolina Renaissance Festival off Poplar Tent Road draws big crowds. Now festival promoters are hoping to solve the problem with a second entrance on N.C. 73, on land they’ve acquired next to the festival site. Read the full story