Cornelius Reverses Stance on I-77 South Toll Lanes Amid Financial Concerns
The town of Cornelius, North Carolina, has decided to reverse its previous vote and now supports the I-77 South toll lane project. This change in stance is primarily due to potential financial penalties of around $3 million to $3.5 million…
Charlotte, NC, August 4, 2026 —
CORNELIUS, NC – The town of Cornelius has altered its position on the I-77 South toll lane project, now indicating support for the initiative. This shift follows an earlier vote in opposition to the project.
The primary driver behind Cornelius’s decision to reverse its vote is the potential for significant financial penalties from the state. These penalties are estimated to range from approximately $3 million to $3.5 million. Such an unbudgeted financial impact could have considerable repercussions on the town’s budget and necessitate adjustments to local tax rates.
Mayor Denis Bilodeau commented on the town’s evolving stance. While expressing personal reservations about the concept of toll lanes, Mayor Bilodeau highlighted that the unbudgeted financial consequences of continuing to oppose the project made the decision to support it a necessity for the town’s fiscal health.
Cornelius is scheduled to formally change its vote at the forthcoming meeting of the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization. This meeting will mark the official reversal of the town’s previously stated opposition to the I-77 South toll lane project.
Story summarized from the original created by Katy Solt on www.wbtv.com, see more information here.
