Chamber Members:

This past week, we have seen extraordinary efforts taken by our community to assist our neighbors in Western North Carolina. While we were very fortunate to avoid the wrath of Hurricane Helene, many of us still recall the damage and destruction of Hurricane Hugo. While we count our blessings, we are dealing with transportation challenges caused by the closure of roads in Western North Carolina, primary I-40, which has diverted traffic to I-77.

This additional traffic impacts NC21, NC115 and our east-west transportation arteries as well. Over the last couple of days former N.C. Senator and Chamber Board Chair Jeff Tarte worked with current NC Attorney General Josh Stein and Governor Roy Cooper while NC Senator and Senate Transportation Chair Vickie Sawyer collaborated with our legislative leadership in Raleigh and I 77 Mobility Partners to find relief to I-77.

Although the toll lanes have not been opened as general-purpose lanes, the Chamber will continue monitoring the impact of the current changes in accomplishing the alleviation of congestion through this major transportation corridor. If and as further changes need to be made to help our businesses and citizen’s mobility issues the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with the AG, Governor and legislative leaders.

I want to thank all these elected officials and Former Senator/Chamber Chair Jeff Tarte for their commitment and hard work on the matter – but also thank you – our business members. Your investment in our Chamber of Commerce gives us the voice to act on your behalf.

Bill Russell

Please find below the statement from I 77 Mobility Partners:

I-77 Mobility Partners Takes Steps to Respond to Transportation Impacts of Hurricane Helene A temporary suspension of dynamic pricing will mitigate toll costs for drivers on I-77 Express

CHAROTTE, NC (October 4, 2024) – The loss of life and extent of property damage in western North Carolina is both heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend. I-77 Mobility Partners recognizes the extreme effects of Hurricane Helene on our neighbors, infrastructure, and supply chain. I-77 Mobility Partners has taken quick action to make operational changes in response to regional transportation impacts of the storm.

Earlier this week, I-77 Mobility Partners implemented a temporary ceiling on I-77 Express dynamic toll rates to help mitigate the financial impacts on drivers – especially those assisting with critical relief efforts – as the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Helene continue to be felt across the region.

This early action to temporarily restrain toll rates limited costs for drivers impacted by extraordinary road closures. It also made certain that drivers who regularly choose to use the express lanes encountered prices on all toll gantries similar to what they saw prior to Hurricane Helene.

As an added measure, NCDOT has enabled I-77 Express to temporarily suspend the contractually defined minimum average speed in the express lanes as required by the Comprehensive Agreement. This decision permits I-77 Mobility Partners to put a hold on dynamic pricing. Tolls will still change throughout the day based on predetermined rates that will be lower than pre-storm dynamic pricing. However, by removing the traffic management provided by dynamic pricing, more drivers may choose to use the express lanes which could result in slower than usual speeds.

I-77 Mobility Partners is confident that this is the correct course of action to support recovery efforts and our neighbors during these extraordinary circumstances. We will continue to coordinate with NCDOT and monitor traffic conditions for all lanes of I-77 and evaluate operational factors as we experience increased demand on the I-77 Express corridor.

I-77 Mobility Partners appreciates the partnership with NCDOT and supports them in their mission to provide effective hurricane response, traveler safety and the movement of supplies and emergency responders as quickly as possible to western North Carolina. ###

About I-77 Mobility Partners: I-77 Mobility Partners LLC operates and maintains the 26-mile I-77 Express corridor as part of the first-ever public-private partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Contact: Rob Boisvert, Director of Corporate Affairs I-77 Mobility Partners, rboisvert@i77partners.com