Matthews residents concerned about 'Super Street'

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Residents of Matthews received a flier over the weekend, urging them to help stop the so-called “Super Street.”

Hayden Rose, who walked to work every day, knows how busy John Street can get.

“It can be at rush hour. It can be congested, absolutely,” Rose said.

Rose has no concerns about his safety, and he'd like to keep it that way.

He's not sure what to think about an idea to widen the intersection he uses every day.

“I’ve heard about it, but I'm just not sure what that’s going to look like just yet,” Rose said.

NCDOT has renderings of the “Super Street” that would go through the heart of Matthews. The road would be much wider and help ease congestion.

This plan isn’t sitting well with some residents.

“We don't disagree that traffic needs to be helped here. The design is much bigger than it needs to be,” said David Johnson.

Johnson, who owns Silent Images, a business at the intersection of Trade and John Streets.

He thinks this plan will make it more dangerous for pedestrians.

“We really want to make sure that the state understands really the sensitivity of what they're doing with this small town and splitting the town,” Johnson said.

NCDOT officials said the “Super Street” will make it safer for pedestrians.

The idea of widening the six-mile stretch has been in the works for years.

Johnson's group is working with the city to stop the idea of a "Super Street," and they are sending around a petition asking NCDOT to come up with a different plan.

The plan is to widen John Street beginning in 2022.

Cox Media Group