On March 12, 2010 the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2010-008 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2010-009 Plan and TIP Amendment. Title: Ohio & Erie Canalway Signage and Information Kiosks Sponsor: Cuyahoga County Engineer PID No.: 85412 Estimated Total Cost: $626,292 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: Federal Discretionary (National Scenic Byways Program) funds History/Background: The Ohio and Erie Canalway Association (OECA) submitted an application and was awarded funds through the National Scenic Byways Program for two projects. The first project (Byway Route Markers) was processed through a Plan and TIP amendment by NOACA Board Resolution No. 2008-009 dated March 14, 2008. The construction contract for the Phase 1 project was awarded by the Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners on June 11, 2009. Current Conditions: The Ohio & Erie Canalway, America’s Byway, in eastern Ohio, stretches from Cleveland’s lakefront, following the course of the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas Rivers through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Akron and a number of canal-era towns through Massillon to Dover, Ohio. The area includes four counties (Cuyahoga, Stark, Summit and Tuscarawas) and four major cities (Akron, Cleveland, Massillon and New Philadelphia). Proposed Project: The Canalway Signage Project – Phase 2 will continue the implementation of the Canalway Signage Plan begun under the Canalway Signage Project - Phase 1 (awarded on June 11, 2009 by the Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners) for byway route markers along the 110 mile Ohio & Erie Canalway, America’s Byway (location map). This project will provide auto wayfinding signage for drivers, providing directions to points of interest, parks, museums and historic districts within the Canalway. It will include confidence markers at sites, along with information kiosks that explain the unique multi-modal nature of the Canalway as it integrates the Towpath Trail and the Scenic Railroad to the National Scenic Byway. Finally, the project will include interpretative panels and parallel pedestrian trail signage. The Cuyahoga County Engineer’s Office will provide project management for the plan development and construction phases of the project. The estimated total project cost provided by the sponsor is $626,292. Eighty percent ($501,034) will be funded with National Scenic Byway Program Funds (including $144,954 transferred from the Phase I project). The 20 percent ($125,258) non-federal match will be provided through local sources (including $36,238 from the Phase I project). The Ohio and Erie Canalway Association will work in conjunction with the Cuyahoga County Engineer’s Office to obtain the local funding match from the CVNP and other non-profit agencies. Staff Comment (Summary): Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project is consistent with NOACA’s Connections 2030 Goal # 10 (Quality of Life through Aesthetics in Planning of the Transportation System) and ODOT’s Access Ohio 2004 - 2030 Goals #2 (Economic Development and Quality of Life). Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments. 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: Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).