Sen. Tarte Blasts I-77 Project After Worker Struck By SUV

CORNELIUS, NC — A North Carolina senator representing Lake Norman communities renewed his criticism of the contentious Interstate 77 toll road project Monday after a construction worker was struck by an SUV and sent to the hospital in critical condition, according to reports.

The construction worker was struck Monday afternoon while he was on foot on the ramp at I-77 and Brookshire Boulevard, according to WSOCTV.

NC Senator Jeff Tarte, a Republican who represents Huntersville and Cornelius, told the station he wanted to see speed limits dropped in the construction zone and safety barriers moved to create a larger buffer.

“If this person dies, I actually think the family should file a suit against the state,” Tarte, told WSOC. “I would file suit for involuntary manslaughter and criminal negligence.”

Fender benders along the construction project stretch near Cornelius and Davidson are a daily occurance, sometimes snarling traffic for hours. The uptick in crashes is significant, according to WSOC, which said there have been 4,650 accidents in the construction area, creating a 62 percent increase in crashes compared to before construction began.

SEE ALSO: Cornelius, Davidson Crews Free Driver From Mangled I-77 Crash

The contentious $647 million project building the toll road that will be operated by a private company instead of the state is adding two “express” toll lanes — one north and south — between Mooresville and uptown Charlotte. The company, I-77 Mobility Partners, is contractually obligated to wrap up construction and have lanes open by Jan. 9, 2019, The Charlotte Observer said.

Earlier this year, Gov. Roy Cooper convened a 12-person I-77 advisory panel to evaluate public concerns regarding the ongoing project, including potential options that include modifying or even buying out the private contractor currently overseeing construction to allow state crews to complete it.

Scrapping the privatized toll lane deal through that latter option would likely cost the state $640 million, North Carolina Department of Transportation said in March. That option would also give the state — and not a private company — complete control over toll pricing.

"The conclusion of the Advisory Group meetings and the announcement by Governor Cooper that he will either modify or cancel the contract this year gives us reason for cautious optimism," said Widen I-77's Kurt Naas. "But success depends on continued public engagement."

What do you think about the safety barriers along the I-77 Toll Lane construction zone? Sound off in the comment section.

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