The widening of Johnson Street and Sandy Ridge Road is recognized in numerous planning documents as a vital corridor in High Point's northern planning area and has been an important focal point of development and growth opportunities for over a decade.
In 2002, a feasibility study recommended the project be included in the N.C. Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) and cited the need for widening and access management provisions as well as pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations. The project started out as a Local Program Project managed by the City of High Point. In early 2016, NCDOT took over management.
In 2018, NCDOT hosted a public meeting and five small group meetings to receive input on the project.