New HOT lanes Jersey Walls...more safety issues, accidents, road closures to come

The Charlotte Observer reported Friday on what may be the first highway stoppage due to an accident related in some way to the HOT lanes project and the new Jersey Walls in place since construction started.

From the Observer...

"Northbound Interstate 77 is shut in Huntersville early Friday afternoon after a tractor trailer jack-knifed just north of the Gilead Road exit, firefighters said. The wreck happened around 12:30 p.m. near Exit 23. State highway officials said it could take until 4 p.m. to clear the scene."

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article49228865.html#storylink=cpy

Where is the mention of the HOT project you ask?

That info comes from Facebook via the actual first responders on the scene.

I happened to be driving a mini-bus on I77 very early Friday morning before this happened.  It was my first time doing so since the lanes have been narrowed for the HOT lanes project.  Let me just say for large vehicles, these narrowed lanes leave little to no room for error.

Back in the day, I used to have a commercial licence and drove city buses and large box trucks.  I can tell you, these lanes are tight!

If this project continues going forward, get used to more of these accidents.  They will continue to happen.