CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A popular photo spot in Charlotte's NoDa community is making room for pedestrians and bikers.
Charlotte city leaders approved nearly $13 million to reduce Matheson Avenue from four lanes to two from North Tryon Street to Jordan Place. The Matheson Avenue Bridge streetscape project is the first of several projects planned to make Charlotte more cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly.
This project will include a one-way westbound bicycle path along the northside of Matheson Avenue and a two-way bicycle path on the south side of Matheson Avenue. Both sides will include a 3-foot buffer separating bike lanes from the road. There will also be access to the Cross Charlotte Trail and light rail stations.
"This will really give a facelift to the Matheson Bridge in a way that has been much needed over the years," Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson said.
The road has seen several deadly incidents involving pedestrians in recent years. Residents told WCNC Charlotte's Lexi Wilson it's been needed for years, calling the area difficult for walkers and bikers.
"There's not a day that goes by that I don't say to myself how much I hate this road," Eric Zaverl, an urban design specialist with Sustain Charlotte, said. "It didn't have to be that way. If we spent the time to plan and invested in safer streets and other models decades ago, those folks would still be here today, and that's what's tragic about it all."
Sustain Charlotte is collecting signatures for a petition that's asking city leaders to increase funding for the bicycle program from $4 million to $10 million per fiscal year.
"We need more solutions about how we move in Charlotte, especially with how we are growing," Zaverl said.
Matheson Avenue is probably best known for its clear views of the Uptown skyline. The city is set to add bike lanes and wider sidewalks as part of the changes.
"We need more of this done," Zaverl said. "Not just in this neighborhood, but across 300 some square miles of Charlotte."
This is the first of two major projects, known as the Matheson Avenue Bridge planned for Matheson Avenue. Ultimately, the city wants to have bike lanes running all the way from North Tryon Street to The Plaza along Matheson. The city also wants to improve safety by reducing traffic speeds along Matheson Avenue, thus making the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Construction is expected to be finished in 2027.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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