CORNELIUS - The N.C Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Aug. 1 will hold a citizen’s informational workshop on plans for widening I-77. The Cornelius meeting is one of two public meetings planned on the topic and is open to the public. Read the full story

Mecklenburg County, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Air Quality and CATS encourage Charlotte region residents to leave their cars and home Thursday and try out a different commute to work.

Residents of Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas who work in the Charlotte region, in observance of Don’t Drive Day, are urged to ride the bus, carpool, telecommute, ride the LYNX Blue Line, walk or ride a bike to and from work Aug. 11. In doing so, commuters will save money on gas, reduce traffic-related stress and improve the local air quality, according to a press release from the county.

Charlotte recently was ranked the 10th most smoggy city in the U.S. by the American Lung Association, and reducing the number of cars on the road is one way to improve the city’s air quality. Vehicle exhaust is the primary source of air pollution in the Charlotte region, according to county officials.

WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

Commuters participating in Don’t Drive Day can enter information about their clean commute online. They will be eligible to win prizes, including the grand prize, an Apple iPad donated by N.C. Air Awareness. Additional prizes donated by REI, Duke Energy, Harris Teeter and Alta Planning and Design will be awarded.