On March 14, 2008, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2008-008 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2008-009 Plan and TIP Amendment Title: Improvements at East 105 Street/MLK Jr. Drive in Cleveland Sponsor: Cuyahoga County Engineer PID No: 83005 Estimated Total Cost: $6,060,000 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) History/Background: University Circle Incorporated (UCI) retained HNTB Ohio to study alternatives for the MLK Jr. Drive/East 105th Street roadway network involving the intersections of MLK Drive, East 105th Street, Mt. Sinai, Jeptha Drive and East Boulevard within University Circle in the City of Cleveland. The study, Technical Memorandum MLK/East 105th Traffic Circle & Roadway Reconfiguration Cuyahoga County, Ohio, September 2007, examined existing and future conditions and recommended improvements to the roadway network, land use, landscaping and architecture throughout the study area. The purpose and needs identified for the study included: Improve safety and minimize driver confusion Improve traffic flow Improve multi-modal origin and destination connectivity including pedestrian and bicycle movements Based on the evaluation criteria, technical working group and public input, a preferred alternative was selected. The Cuyahoga County Engineer applied to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for Safety and Congestion Program funds to reconfigure the intersection of MLK Jr. Drive with East 105th Street and adjacent traffic circle. In a letter dated June 25, 2007, ODOT advised the Cuyahoga County Engineer that their application for Safety and Congestion Funds was approved. Current Conditions: Martin Luther King, Jr Drive (MLK) is functionally classified as an urban minor arterial. MLK varies from three to four lanes with a bike path. The pavement width is 40 feet, and the sidewalks vary in width from four feet to nine feet. The legal speed limit is 35 miles per hour (mph). The average daily traffic (ADT) is 17,798 vehicles per day (2005 count). East 105th Street (E. 105th St.) is functionally classified as an urban collector. It is a narrow four-lane roadway on the west part of the intersection, with lanes eleven to twelve feet wide. The pavement width is 40 feet. The sponsor estimates the adjacent sidewalks are about seven feet wide. The width of the existing right-of-way is 80 feet. The legal speed limit is 25 miles per hour (mph) and the ADT is 11,510 vehicles per day with about two percent trucks (2005 count). Mount Sinai, Jeptha Drive and East Boulevard are all two-lane local roads. To the east of the signalized intersection is a hybrid traffic circle. According to the HNTB Study, the intersection is considered hybrid traffic circle because it contains features of both a traffic circle and a roundabout. HNTB conducted a three year (2003 – 2005) crash analysis of the study area that includes the intersections of MLK, E. 105th St., Mt. Sinai, East Blvd. and Jeptha Dr. According to the study, 131 crashes occurred in the study area. The most common types of crashes occurring here are rear end (53), angle (41) and sideswipe (20), accounting for eighty seven percent of the total crashes. The current configuration of the roadway network is confusing to drivers. HNTB notes that lack of lane lines, few way-finding signs and confusing intersection geometry make travel in the corridor difficult for those unfamiliar with the area. Additionally, the pedestrian and bicycle network is compromised at this location because of the complicated roadway network. Proposed Project: The proposed project involves replacing the hybrid traffic circle with signalized intersections at East Blvd. and MLK, and at Jeptha Dr. and MLK. This alternative also consists of a new roadway connecting Jeptha Dr. and Mt. Sinai. Signalized intersections will remain at the intersections of MLK and Mt. Sinai, with E. 105th St. MLK will widen to 5 or 6 lanes and E. 105th St. will widen to 5 lanes. The estimated construction cost, provided by the sponsor, is $6,060,000. Of this amount, $3,275,000 will be funded with Federal Safety and Congestion Program Funds. The sponsor reports that $500,000 will be provided by the City of Cleveland, $500,000 by the Cuyahoga County Engineer and $2,060,000 by the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) Issue I Funds. The sponsor estimates that construction could begin in SFY 2010. Staff Comment (Summary): Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project meets NOACA’s Connections 2030 Goal # 3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System) and ODOT’s Access Ohio Goal # 1 (System Preservation and Management). Recommend for committee and public review in order to obtain comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: This location was identified as one of eight safety problem areas during the Roadway Safety Workshop held at NOACA offices on November 29, 2006. The segment carries between 82 and 283 buses per day in both directions from three GCRTA routes (#10, #38, and #50). The project sponsor will make a presentation about this project at NOACA’s Bicycle Advisory Council meeting on January 14, 2008. Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC): If you are a representative of a governmental entity and would like to comment on this project, please email us. Public Involvement: NOACA encourages comments from the public on this proposed transportation improvement project. Please notify us if you would like to be added to our e-mail notification list for future updates. Committee Review: Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC): The proposed realignment of the bike path is an improvement over the existing one. Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan and TIP. Transit Council: The Transit Council requests that the sponsor coordinate with the transit agency on this project.