STATESVILLE, N.C. (WHKY) — Statesville City Council has reversed course and renewed its support for the I-77 South express toll-lane project.

Council members voted 7–1 Monday night to support the project, which would add express toll lanes along approximately 11 miles of Interstate 77 between uptown Charlotte and the South Carolina state line.

The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization withdrew its full support for the project in May. However, provisions in the new state budget could require participating communities to repay money already spent by the North Carolina Department of Transportation if the project is abandoned.

Information presented during Monday’s council meeting indicated Statesville’s potential share of that repayment could exceed $1 million. The total repayment involving the regional organization could approach $60 million.

The regional planning organization is expected to reconsider the toll-lane project in September. An October 5 deadline was established after Governor Josh Stein signed the state budget.