Road-widening project in Matthews delayed

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Local transportation leaders said they support delaying the widening project on East John Street in Matthews.

Many Matthews residents did not want the project.

The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization voted unanimously Wednesday night to delay part of the East John Street widening project from South Trade Street to Interstate 485.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation wanted to add more lanes in 2021 to alleviate congestion but many people were worried about the project's impact on Matthews' charm.

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Matthews officials requested the delay to protect downtown and allow other projects near East John Street to be completed to see how traffic changes.

The mayor wants Matthews to remain a small, friendly town with a walkable downtown area and many agree with that.

“We're grateful that they are going to preserve the small-town feel, which is what we all love,” resident David Johnson said. “That is why we live here and work here -- the small town.”

The rest of the widening project outside of Matthews will continue as scheduled.

This delay is not official yet. NCDOT has to adopt the official changes in August 2019.

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Cox Media Group