CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A bill in the General Assembly could make it a little easier to get out of the controversial Interstate 77 toll lane contract.

Cornelius Rep. John Bradford introduced an amendment Tuesday that lays out a plan to pay for any possible changes to the contract.

House Bill 1029 creates an account that will loan out money to pay for those potential changes.

Up to $300 million in credit balances from the state's Highway and Highway Trust Fund would go into that reserve.

Bradford's amendment unanimously passed a second reading by legislators Tuesday.

He believes the bill has bipartisan support and that this is a big step in the right direction for those who have been fighting the toll lanes for years.

Bradford put a statement on Facebook.

 

Now, the amendment does not call for taking any action towards canceling the project.

Right now, lawmakers are waiting for the NC Department of Transportation to make a decision on the future of the lanes.

That is expected to come down before the end of the summer.

Meanwhile, construction on the lanes is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

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