I-277/I-77 Loop Strategy Study

RS&H completed a study to evaluate future capacity, operational, and safety conditions of the 6.5-mile I-277/I-77 Loop around uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. The results will be used to define projects within the 2040 Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization Long-Range Transportation Plan.

This multipronged study included a technical traffic and safety analysis to address safety and congestion issues, as well as a focus on community planning and design to ensure compatibility and connectivity with the city’s vision of a multimodal “Center City.” We used microsimulation to analyze each system and service interchange, as well as ramp terminal and adjacent significant intersections.

Using our award-winning, four-tier funnel planning method, RS&H evaluated all possible interchange concepts for each interchange and identified a preferred concept. We also evaluated various innovative interchange types, including turbine, diverging diamond, and high five (five-level) interchanges, as well as two and three-level roundabouts.

Our team conducted client and public meetings and used various visualization tools to effectively communicate the complex ideas to project stakeholders.