The NOACA Governing Board approved the following project for inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) by adopting Resolution No. 2003-049 on September 12, 2003.

Title: Widening and reconstruction of SR-254 (Detroit Road) in Avon
Sponsor:  City of Avon
Estimated Total Cost: $1,198,134
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA Funds

History/Background:
The proposed project to widen SR-254 was introduced at the July 9, 2001 City Council meeting and subsequently referred to the planning commission for recommendation. City Council passed Resolution No. R-28-02, authorizing the City to apply for NOACA attributable funds to fund the project, on June 24, 2002. A public meeting was held on July 18, 2002. A letter was sent to property owners in the project corridor informing them of the proposed project and requesting input.

Current Conditions:
SR-254 (Detroit Road) is functionally classified as a minor arterial. It is a two-lane facility twenty-four (24) feet wide with five feet (5’) wide sidewalks. The pavement width is twenty-six feet (26’). The existing right-of-way (RW) is sixty-six feet (66’). The average daily traffic (ADT) is 14,600 vehicles per day with about 1.3% trucks (2002 traffic counts). The land use abutting SR-254 between SR-83 and SR-611 is mainly retail and commercial. The retail-commercial mix is made up of antique stores, banks and various office buildings. There are also institutional public frontages (i.e. elementary school, U.S. Post Office and police station) located in the area. The speed limit varies between 25 and 35 miles per hour (mph).

Proposed Project:
This project involves widening and reconstructing approximately 0.78 mile (4,100’) of SR-254, to include a dedicated left-turn lane, from SR-83 (Avon Center Road) to SR-611 (Colorado Avenue), in Avon. The proposed pavement width will be forty feet (40’), including two fourteen feet (14’) wide lanes and one twelve feet (12’) wide lane. The sidewalks will be (5’) feet wide. The total construction cost is estimated to be $1,198,134. Eighty percent ($958,507) of the construction cost can be funded with NOACA-attributable Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. The City of Avon will provide the non-federal share of construction ($239,627).

Staff Comment (Summary):

• The existing and future level of service (LOS) for the existing roadway supports the need for a two-way left-turn lane along the corridor. Existing LOS problems are at driveways and minor street intersections. The proposed roadway section will improve the corridor LOS from "E" to "A".
• A turn lane will reduce rear-end accidents and provide more continuous flow.
• The proposed project will adhere to NOACA’s Framework for Action 2025 Goals #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Existing Transportation System) and #6 (Provide Additional Capacity only When Such Capacity promotes NOACA Principles).
• The proposed project supports existing and planned low-density, commercial and residential development and it is only marginally multi-modal.
• Particular emphasis should be given to how historic properties within the segment will be protected from harm.
• Potential impacts to the French Creek with respect to storm water run-off and mitigation thereof should be considered, discussed and addressed in the environmental document.
• This project is not located in an Urban Core Community.
• The sponsor has initiated a Working to Improve the NOACA Region (WIN) agreement with NOACA
• Move for committee and public review in order to obtain comments.
• The Avon City population is attributable to the urbanized area population that ODOT uses to suballocate STP funds to NOACA.