Known as the John Belk Freeway, this section of the interstate is above-grade at both ends, but below-grade of local streets in the middle, with office and residential buildings flanking both sides.

[8] By 1971, the freeway was extended east from Central Avenue to Independence Boulevard with an interchange and connector south to Trade Street.

[13] A freeway removing cross-through traffic along Independence Boulevard through Uptown Charlotte was first proposed during the 1960s urban renewal of Brooklyn/Second Ward.

[24] In April 2010, the new color-coded attraction guide signs were added along I-77 and I-277 to help visitors reach popular destinations, including: Bank of America Stadium, Spectrum Center, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame among others.

On September 1, 2019, the inner lanes of I-277 and their associated ramps were closed to vehicles for the first time, as part of a route for the city's inaugural Around the Crown 10K marathon that took place entirely in Uptown Charlotte.

[25] In November 2019, as part of the I-77 Express Lanes project, new entrance/exit ramps connecting the Brookshire Freeway were officially opened since construction began to reconfigure the exit 5 interchange in 2018.

The two new flyover ramps connect directly to the Express Lanes that traverse north towards Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, and Mooresville.

[26][27][28] In 2021, NC 27 was rerouted onto the John Belk Freeway between Freedom Drive and Independence Expressway; its former alignment along Morehead, McDowell, and 7th Street were transitioned to secondary roads.