The proposed $3.2 billion I-77 toll lanes project in Charlotte could result in significant loss of parkland, polluted air, dirty water, and the city's scarce green space. The project, intended to manage congestion, will extend from the Uptown area to the South Carolina line with construction beginning in the early 2030s. NCDOT has proposed elevated lanes built above the existing highway in an attempt to mitigate community backlash, rather than an at-grade widening. Preliminary maps indicate that these designs could affect at least 11 park properties. The water quality of several streams could also be affected by the project. The U.S. Department of Transportation Act prohibits NCDot from using publicly owned parks, wildlife or historic sites unless there is an alternative.