In 2007, the city of Charlotte partnered with the N.C. Department of Transportation, the S.C. Department of Transportation, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, and other local and regional agencies to initiate the "Fast Lanes Study."
This study examined existing and planned major highways throughout a 10-county area and identified corridors that could benefit most from implementing express lanes to help manage congestion during peak travel periods. The initial findings targeted Interstate 485 and U.S. 74 (Independence Boulevard) for additional study.
After further evaluation, the CRTPO added the express lanes projects on I-485 and U.S. 74 to its 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), which was adopted in April 2014.