The Town of Matthews is set to transform one of its most important downtown corridors after securing $17.4 million in federal funding for major safety and mobility improvements.
Federal officials awarded $17,425,200 through the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program to support the John Street Safety and Mobility Enhancement Project. The investment targets 1.4 miles of East and West John Street, a critical route through the heart of downtown Matthews.
“This is a major investment in the safety of our community and the future of downtown Matthews,” said Mayor John Higdon in a press release. “John Street is critically important to our town, and this funding allows us to make meaningful improvements that help residents, visitors, and businesses thrive, now and for generations to come.”
The current plan is to redesign the corridor into a Complete Street, creating safer conditions for people walking, biking, riding transit, and driving. At the same time, the project will preserve existing vehicle capacity while supporting the town’s active and growing downtown.
Matthews will work closely with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Charlotte Area Transit System to deliver a coordinated set of transportation upgrades. The improvements are designed to increase connectivity and reduce conflict points for all users of the roadway.
The project builds on years of planning and community input, including recommendations from the John Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Study and the Envision Matthews Comprehensive Plan. Town officials say those efforts helped shape a vision focused on safety, accessibility, and long-term growth.
The funding also advances Matthews’ commitment to Vision Zero, an initiative aimed at eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2034.
