The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has finally kicked off the procurement for the I-77 South Express Lanes project in Charlotte. The state published a Request for Qualifications in August, and is planning on collecting qualifications from interested bid teams in December. The state is planning to select a shortlist of teams in February 2026.
The project will add capacity to 11 miles of I-77, from the I-277 intersection north of downtown Charlotte to the South Carolina state line. The project will add two express lanes in each direction along the corridor, which includes 13 interchanges, four grade separations, and four railroad bridges. Planning for the current procurement began after the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) board voted to approve the project last October, after several months of deliberation. According to North Carolina state law, any toll projects must be approved by a local planning organization.
NCDOT is hosting an industry pre-bid event for the procurement on September 2nd.
