CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Residents in neighborhoods along Interstate 77 in Charlotte will soon have a chance to speak out against plans to widen the interstate for additional toll lanes .

The North Carolina Department of Transportation and North Carolina Turnpike Authority will hold two public meetings next month to discuss a plan to expand I-77 from Uptown to the South Carolina state line. Per state law, toll projects must be approved by the local planning organization. The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) requested NCDOT move forward with the plan last October .

Officials found last year that traditional state funding isn’t feasible, making outside investment a more viable option. NCDOT said the reason behind the paid toll lanes is the department cannot afford t

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