What does it mean to go Beyond 77?
As the main artery running through Charlotte, the 68-mile stretch of interstate between Statesville, NC and Rock Hill, SC serves a large community. The I-77 corridor is greater than just the interstate itself. It is a network of connections that allow us to mobilize our everyday lives. That’s why we conducted a massive study to identify strategies and solutions to improve mobility, and thus, the region.
Beyond 77 presents a plan that has been formulated with respect to resident perspective and has been vetted as the same. The final strategies and solutions are outlined in detail – including timing and coordinating parties needed.
The Beyond 77 study was completed in January of 2022. The Beyond 77 Task Force will begin implementing the study recommendations provided in the Beyond 77 Final Report in 2022.
Navigate to additional Beyond 77 content
Vision Statement
The Beyond 77 Corridor Study will strengthen the multimodal network surrounding the interstate by providing a strategic, innovative, equitable, and comprehensive toolbox of effective strategies, policies, and programs that will guide future mobility for our diverse communities.
Guiding Principles
- Provide a range of local and regional mobility choices that are safe and equitable.
- Respect the natural and built environment.
- Strengthen the economic prosperity and resiliency of the region.
- incorporate innovative improvements into the existing system.
- Improve integration of the multimodal system with adopted land use policies.
Goal Statements
- Supply safe and equitable mobility options for people and businesses to efficiently access jobs, essential goods, and services and activity centers.
- Provide transportation corridor improvements strategies that enhance safety for all users respond to resiliency issues such as weather events or security emergencies, and adapt effectively to ongoing climate change.
- Consider technology applications in all multimodal strategies to assist the public in making mobility decisions.
- Maximize opportunities to enhance freight connectivity and access to distribution hubs to improve the movement of goods.
- Integrate equitable and safe options for walking, bicycling, transit, motor vehicles, and other personal mobility modes throughout the region.
- Ensure recommended transportation policies and programs are sensitive to features of the built and natural environments, improve the quality of life for residents, and promote healthy living.
Completed Corridor Study Phases
Data Collection
Stakeholders inform staff how they use the I-77 corridor.
Over 15,000 people participated in this engagement process sharing how they travel throughout the corridor, their travel experiences, and issues perceived to cause congestion.
Timeline: January 2020 – August 2020
Analysis
Stakeholders review areas of greatest need.
The public was asked to weigh in on areas for improvement within 12 focus areas of congestion which were identified from initial existing and future conditions analysis. Nearly 4,300 residents participated. The focus areas were categorized into three geographic zones – North, Greater Charlotte (Metro), and South. The same top five areas for improvement were identified in each zone: 1) System reliability, 2) Road conditions, 3) System safety, 4) Mobility independence, and 5) Length of trip.
Timeline: August 2020 – March 2021
Solutions
Stakeholders choose preferred transportation solutions and weigh in on funding options.
Nearly 5,000 residents provided feedback on their preferences of six critical factors: equity, land use alignment, mode choice, regional impact, safety, and travel efficiency. Residents also provided input on the draft list of strategies and solutions and potential funding alternatives.
Timeline: April 2021 – September 2021
Recommendations
The CRTPO staff share the final recommendations stakeholders assisted with creating.
The Beyond 77 Corridor Study Deliverables are posted below. Items include the final report, fast facts, a story map, and Interactive maps.
Timeline: October 2021 – January 2022
Public Engagement
You’ve spoken. We’ve listened.
Over the course of the 2-year study, Beyond 77 set the record for public involvement in the Southeast, with more than 25,000 survey responses captured. In each of three phases, the public was invited to participate in quantitative and qualitative surveys.
Results at a Glance
Why public feedback matters
While it is required of Transportation Planning Organizations to capture public comment when drafting recommendations, the CRTPO made a point to engage the public on a whole new level. Public involvement was the driving force of the final strategies and solutions.
Far too often does the public express resistance to a transportation plan once it’s already in effect. CRTPO engaged the public through digital and traditional advertising, events, and public relations over the 2-year study to drive engagement with the survey and events.
Review our public engagement findings:
Steering & Advisory Committees
Early on, the Beyond 77 planning team engaged a Steering and Advisory Committee to provide consistent input through the duration of the study. Steering and Advisory committees convened throughout the study to review findings and provide feedback. Below, you can find a description on the makeup of each and a log of their meetings and response, organized by year.
2021 Committee Response and Workshops
9/30/2021
September Workshop Agenda (PDF)
September Meeting Minutes (PDF)
September Workshop Presentation (PDF)
September 30 Recording (YouTube)
7/22/2021 & 7/28/2021
July Workshop Agenda (PDF)
July Workshop Summary (PDF)
July Workshop Presentation (PDF)
July 22 Recording (YouTube)
July 28 Recording (YouTube)
6/24/2021 & 6/28/2021
Implementation Workshop Summary (PDF)
Implementation Workshop Agenda (PDF)
Implementation Workshop Presentation (PDF)
Implementation workshop recording (YouTube)
Implementation workshop recording (YouTube)
3/11/2021
Study Update Consolidated Generalized Agenda (PDF)
Study Update Steering Committee Meeting Summary (PDF)
Study Update Steering Committee Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Steering Committee Meeting Recording (YouTube)
Study Update Advisory Committee Meeting Summary (PDF)
Study Update Advisory Committee Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Advisory Committee Meeting Recording (YouTube)
2020 Committee Response and Workshops
9/30/2020 & 10/6/2020
Innovation & Technology Brainstorming Workshop Summary (PDF)
Innovation & Technology Brainstorming Workshop Agenda (PDF)
Innovation & Technology Brainstorming Workshop Presentation (PDF)
Innovation & Technology Brainstorming Workshop Session Recording (9/30/2020)
Innovation & Technology Brainstorming Workshop Session Recording (10/6/2020)
8/3/2020 & 8/4/2020
Vision & Needs Workshop Summary (PDF)
Vision & Needs Workshop Presentation (PDF)
Vision & Needs Workshop Session Recording (8/3/2020)
Vision & Needs Workshop Session Recording (8/4/2020)
6/2/2020
Existing & Future Conditions Assessment Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Existing & Future Conditions Assessment Meeting Summary (PDF)
Existing & Future Conditions Assessment Presentation (PDF)
Existing & Future Conditions Assessment Videocast (YouTube)
4/7/2020
Spring 2020 Update Memo (PDF)
2019 Committee Response and Workshops
11/5/2019
Data Kick Off & Review Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Data Kick Off & Review Meeting Summary (PDF)
Data Kick Off & Review Meeting Presentation (PDF)
9/13/2019
Kick Off Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Kick Off Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Kick Off Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Beyond 77 Corridor Study Deliverables
Documents
Beyond 77 Corridor Study Final Report
The ultimate deliverable of the Study, the Final Report provides an overview and highlights of the planning process of this paramount initiative. The report’s Strategies and Solutions are what inform this work’s subsequent Mobilization and Coalition phases.
The document’s appendices are broken out in the dropdown box below for easy reference to the report’s additional content.
Beyond 77 Corridor Study Final Report Appendices
- A1 – Marketing & Engagement Plan
- A2 – Marketing & Engagement Cumulative Report
- A3 – Committee Participation Tracker
- A4 – Needs Assessment & Study Strategies Technical Memorandum
- A5 – Plan Review Technical Memorandum
- A6 – Travel Demand Model Review & Modification Technical Memorandum
- A7 – Existing & Future Conditions Assessment Technical Memorandum
- A8 – Land Use Summary Technical Memorandum
- A9 – Preliminary Needs Technical Memorandum
- A10 – Rubric & Evaluation Process Technical Memorandum
- A11 – Funding Alternatives Strategies & Concepts Report
- A12 – Strategies & Solutions (S&Ss) User Guide and Individual S&S Sheets
- Overview
- Policies (PM)
- Programs (PR)
- Technologies (ET)
- Projects (PI)
Beyond 77 Public Survey Results
Click below to download a graphic digest of the survey distributed to the public, called the Beyond 77 Public Survey Results, available as a PDF file below.
Beyond 77 Corridor Study Fast Facts
The Beyond 77 Corridor Study Fast Facts pamphlet was used in the public engagement process to help engage stakeholders about the components of each phase within the Study. A PDF of this handout is available below.
Interactive Tools
Beyond 77 Interactive Maps
These interactive map pages provide data and information specific to the analysis categories of the study, individually linked below.
Beyond 77 Story Map
Browse our multi-layered Story Map that gives an overview past, present, and future of transportation in the region. The Story Map was created during Phase I to educate and inform the public on the existing conditions and next steps to move forward when creating Beyond 77’s vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between I-77 and the I-77 Corridor?
The I-77 corridor is the 68-mile stretch between Statesville, NC and Rock Hill, SC. The corridor spans three miles from each side of Interstate 77 which includes the Interstate itself. Interstate 77 is simply the interstate, from shoulder to shoulder.
What is the purpose of the study?
The study aims to go beyond 77 and provide solutions to improve mobility in the area around the interstate to provide greater connectivity in our region.
Is this study connected to the I-77 South toll (managed) lanes proposal?
No, the Beyond 77 Study is not involved in any way with the unsolicited proposal that was received for the I-77 South toll (managed) lanes.
Initial visioning and plans for the Beyond 77 project began nearly a decade ago – and are in no way a response to the unsolicited proposal sent to NCDOT in 2022.
Will you be getting rid of the toll (managed) lanes?
The study will NOT be eliminating the existing or proposed managed lanes on I-77, they are under the administration of I-77 Mobility Partners, LLC.
How long will it be until your recommended solutions are implemented?
Some recommendations will be able to be implemented in a couple of years and are considered short-term (2022-2025). Other recommendations are considered long term (10-30 years out).
Who will pay for the improvements?
Part of the study itself is to propose funding solutions that will pay to make the recommended improvements. These funding solutions could range from increasing motor vehicle taxes to an increase in vehicle registration fees. We are currently evaluating options.
How can I engage with the study beyond the surveys?
The study was completed on January 26, 2022. We welcome the public to follow us on Facebook @BeyondI77, and email us.
How can I be alerted with survey updates?
The study was completed on January 26, 2022. If you are interested to hear more about implementation, follow us on Facebook @BeyondI77.
Who funded the study?
The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) funded the corridor study through a federal grant administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
Are Beyond 77 and CONNECT Beyond the same?
Beyond 77 and CONNECT Beyond are independent. CONNECT Beyond focuses on transit issues and solutions in Mecklenburg County as well as 11 nearby counties – like York and Lancaster in South Carolina. Beyond 77 focuses only on communities between Statesville and Rock Hill along the I-77 corridor and evaluates all forms of transportation, including but not limited to public transit.
Contact
Paul Benton, PE
Beyond 77 Project Manager
For questions regarding this corridor study, please contact us at email@crtpo.org.