Matthews pledges $200,000 to add pedestrian crossing on NC‑51 near Novant

The Matthews Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 23 to authorize the town manager to notify the North Carolina Department of Transportation that the town will pay $200,000 for an added pedestrian signal and marked crossing at NC‑51 near Independence Point Parkway.

Engineering planner Dana Stojenki told the board the crossing would be added to an existing side-path project in front of Novant Hospital. "We realized that...that portion isn't going to get improved probably for 6, 7, 8 years," Stojenki said, and staff urged the board to secure the crossing now to improve safety at a stretch that has been the site of pedestrian fatalities.

Stojenki said the town intends to pursue grant funding from the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) to cover roughly 80% of the cost if awarded, which could reduce the town’s share to about $40,000. Commissioners also noted the one-cent sales-tax fund as a possible source of local matching dollars.

Commissioner Jonathan Clayton made the motion to authorize the town manager to sign the letter to NCDOT committing the $200,000, and Commissioner John Urban seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: engineers and elected officials cited a documented safety history at the corridor, including a past pedestrian fatality, and said acting now avoids a long wait for the larger DOT widening program.

Next step: staff will prepare the letter to NCDOT and pursue CRTPO grant funding in the fall; if grant award reduces the town share, the board will consider updates to funding allocations.