On February 12, 2010 the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2010-007 Conformity Finding Crile Road Connector On December 11, 2009 the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2009-037 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2009-038 Plan Amendment Title: Construct Connector Road from Auburn Road to Crile Road in Concord Twp Sponsor: Lake County Engineer Estimated Total Cost: $6,457,500 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA History/Background: State Route (SR) 44 is a north-south component of the Lake County transportation network. It intersects with SR-2 to the north and extends to the south beyond the Ohio Turnpike. SR-44 also intersects with Interstate Route (IR) 90 via an interchange. A study of the SR-44 Corridor extending from SR-84 (Johnnycake Ridge Road) to Girdled Road and the surrounding area was completed for the Lake County Engineer’s Office. The SR-44 Corridor Study (September 2008), prepared by Michael Baker Jr., Inc., was conducted to determine a set of recommended roadway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian improvements for the SR-44 corridor (bounded by SR-84 to the north, Girdled Road to the south, Ravenna Road to the east and Hermitage Road to the west) with a particular focus along SR-44 from south of I-90 to Girdled Road. The SR-44 Corridor Study resulted in the development of a master plan of needed transportation improvements in the corridor. The planned improvements include the addition of turning lanes and/or traffic signals at other intersections in the study area; the development of a new east-west connector roadway from Auburn Road at Capital Parkway to Crile Road, including a new signalized intersection at SR-44; the reconfiguration of the Auburn Road /Crile Road/SR-44 intersection to improve safety and efficiency; improvements to the SR-44/I-90 interchange ramp intersections with SR-44.; widening SR-44 from I-90 to south of Auburn Road; the development of a shared use trail through the study area to eliminate a “missing link” in the Lake County Greenway; and the provision of Dial-a-ride transit service to new medical facilities in the study area, with possible long range consideration of fixed route service if demand makes the service economically viable. The sponsor reports that the limited access break was approved by Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Central Office. According to the sponsor, ODOT recommended the development of the connector road between Auburn Road and Crile Road connecting to the west with Capital Parkway and the restructuring of the Crile Road intersection with Auburn Road to the north be combined into a one project (location map). The sponsor also states that the project will greatly improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and improve traffic safety in the vicinity of SR-44 and Auburn Road. On February 4, 2009, the Concord Township Board of Trustees adopted a resolution (2009-3) of commitment to road improvements to the Auburn-Crile corridor. On May 14, 2009, the Board of County Commissioners in and for Lake County adopted a resolution authorizing the Lake County Engineer to sponsor and apply to the NOACA Transportation Plan for road improvements to the Auburn-Crile corridor in Concord Township, Ohio. Current Conditions: According to the sponsor, the area of Concord Township adjacent to SR-44 experiences a significant number of vehicle crashes and increasing traffic congestion. The proposed project area is bordered by Crile Road to the east, Girdled Road to the south, Auburn Road to the west and I-90 to the north (location map). With the current development of vacant land by two major hospitals, the anticipation of additional related development, and the proximity to I-90, the congestion in the area is continuously increasing. Two major medical facilities will be added on Auburn Road: a 300,000 square foot hospital and a 50,000 square foot medical office building by Lake Hospital System and their partners; and a 60,000 square foot medical center by University Hospitals. According to the sponsor, these facilities combined will have more than 1,300 employees. Also, there is approximately 450 acres of Greenfield which is being readied for development, already having full infrastructure present. This area will easily support over 1,000 new jobs. In addition to traffic volumes, the problems in this area are intensified by the geometric layout of the intersections of Auburn Road and Crile Road, Auburn Road and SR-44 and their proximity to the I-90 interchange. Auburn Road (CH-409) is functionally classified as an urban collector. The average daily traffic is 4,460 vehicles per day (NOACA Lake County Highway Traffic Counts, published March 2006). Crile Road (CH-400) is functionally classified as an urban local road. The average daily traffic is 2,550 vehicles per day (NOACA Lake County Highway Traffic Counts, published March 2006). SR-44 is a four-lane roadway (two lanes in each direction) from SR-84 (Johnnycake Ridge Road) to approximately ½ mile north of Girdled Road where SR-44 tapers down to a two-lane roadway. The functional classification of SR-44 is freeway/expressway north of I-90 and principal arterial south of I-90. Proposed Project: The proposed project involves the construction of a connector road from Auburn Road to Crile Road, including modifications to the intersections of Auburn Road and SR-44, and Auburn and Crile Roads (location map). The estimated total cost, provided by the sponsor, is $6,457,500. The estimated cost of right-of-way (RW) is $2,758,500. The sponsor is requesting the use of $1,345,250 in NOACA federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds for right-of-way (per NOACA RW policy). The sponsor will provide the non-federal share ($1,404,250) of the RW. The estimated cost of construction is $3,699,000. The sponsor requests that $1,849,500 be funded with NOACA-controlled STP funds (per NOACA policy regarding funding for capacity-adding projects). The Lake County Engineer’s sponsorship and support will not include financial participation. The sponsor will provide the remaining share of the construction which may include but is not limited to OPWC, ODOT Safety Program funds, federal earmarks and local share. Staff Comment (Summary): Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project is consistent with NOACA’s Connections 2030 Goals #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System)and #6 (Provide Additional System Capacity that Promote NOACA Principles and Minimize Adverse Impacts) and ODOT’s Access Ohio 2004 - 2030 Goals #1 (Transportation Safety) and #4 (System Preservation). This project should be coordinated with the proposed resurfacing of Auburn Road, from Girdled Road to approximately 0.09 mile west of SR-44, in Concord Township, sponsored by the Lake County Engineer. The sponsor should review the cost estimate at significant review stages of project design development. Because the construction of a connector roadway adds capacity to the system, the project requires conformity analyses for both ozone and fine particles. An air quality analysis is only needed when the project is added to either Tier I or II of the Plan. Projects can only be added to those tiers when they have a solid financial plan. Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: At some point this proposed roadway must be added to the federal aid system. 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. "This connector road will greatly reduce congestion that is anticipated with the opening of Tri-Point Medical Center". - Lake County Commissioner's Office “The Painesville Township Board of Trustees fully supports this project.” - Painesville Township Board of Trustees "This construction of a connector road is extremely important due to the anticipated traffic flow increase once Lake Health opens Tri-Point Health Center in 2 weeks." - Lake County Commissioner's Office 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: Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan.