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Managed Lanes Could Speed I-77 Construction

LNTC members and local media heard an explanation of the managed lanes concept at the March meeting of the group. Lynn Purnell of Parsons-Brinkerhof presented a power point of managed lanes, containing both visuals of and available experience from other states utilizing the concept. Parsons is under contract to the State of NC to assist State leaders to decide whether to adopt this concept.

Essentially, a managed lane is a new lane on an interstate highway which is available to all drivers--at a variable cost per ride. Currently HOV lanes are not available to drivers without at least one passenger, some cities require three passengers, to be legal. A managed, or HOT (high occupancy/toll) lane permits a single driver to use the lane, and is charged per use. Rates will vary during the day, based on congestion---high congestion--high fee. Typical fees range from $1 to $5 per use.

Frequent drivers in an area can obtain a transponder to be placed in the vehicle, which gets ‘read’ each time the vehicle enters and exits a HOT lane. Periodically, the driver receives a bill from the State. Out of area drivers are detected and license plates photographed, and invoiced accordingly.

Workshop Evaluates ULI Results

The Urban Land Institute’s recommendations for local economic development action received a ‘deep dive’ from 38 prior participants, elected officials and donors at a workshop held March 19 at Cornelius Town Hall.

Bill Thunberg, workshop facilitator, said discussions were lively and centered around the challenges of 1) East/West connectivity,2) I-77 improvement; 3) funding for road and rail; 4) the proposed new North/South parkway and 5) rebranding the Lake area to be more vital to the Charlotte Metro region.

The ‘breakout’ reports containing more detailed suggestions for action were forwarded to the Lake Norman Transportation Commission for consideration at the group’s meeting, set for 6:30 pm Wednesday, April 14 at the Cornelius Town Hall.

ULI Makes 14 Key Recommendations

The Urban Land Institute Advisory Panel summarized their late January advisory panel’s work into 14 key infrastructure suggestions for local consideration, said Brian Jenest, LNTC chair.

“We feel the panel had excellent data in advance of their local work, and while here heard from more than 100 civic and business leaders on what needs to happen,” Jenest commented. “Of course, the panel mixed in their unique perspectives from across the US and served up an agenda for economic growth.”