On June 9, 2006, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2006-022 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2006-023 Plan and TIP Amendment. Title:  Cleveland Bulk Terminal Roadway Project Sponsor:  Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority PID No. 80986 Estimated Total Cost: $3,945,900 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: SAFETEA-LU History/Background: On September 14, 2001, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority adopted Resolution No 2001-39 accepting a $500,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) in connection with the construction of new roadway for truck access onto and from the Cleveland Bulk Terminal (CBT) facility. The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is the sponsor of a Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 – a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) House High Priority Projects (HHPP) Earmark No. 3628 (Design and construct road enhancements Cleveland Port Authority). On March 24, 2006, the Cleveland –Cuyahoga County Port Authority Board of Directors approved Resolution No. 2006-15, authorizing and approving certain actions and accepting a grant from the Federal Highway Administration to Design and Construct a Roadway to Provide Truck Access into Cleveland Bulk Terminal in Cleveland. Current Conditions: The CBT property (formerly C&P Ore Docks) has been used to transfer iron ore from ship to rail. Currently, the facility handles about 1.5 to 2 million tons of iron ore for Mittal Steel in Cleveland, Ohio and Weirton Steel in Wierton, West Virginia. The Port Authority’s business plan for the property is to develop an intermodal bulk handling facility capable of not only transferring iron ore from vessel to rail car, but for various other commodities to truck from both rail and water. Norfolk Southern owns the property for both the rail and the road right-of-way; an easement was granted to the Port Authority as part of the original purchase agreement. The Port Authority has been working with Norfolk Southern to achieve the track re-configuration on the CBT site. The plan calls for the existing dual track servicing the CBT site to be modified to allow for construction of a roadway. The existing north siding track would be removed to make way for the access road; this leaves the south track, which connects the Norfolk Southern main line with the site, to service the rail operation at the terminal. Proposed Project:  The project involves the construction of a road that would extend from the southeast corner of the CBT site, continue through the north portal of the existing underpass and terminate at an intersection just west of the Willow Street Bridge. According to the sponsor, the project length is 2,600 feet. It will be a two-lane facility with asphalt lanes 12 feet wide and stone shoulders four feet wide. The proposed speed limit is 25 miles per hour. The projected average daily traffic (ADT) is 46 trucks per day (2006). The estimated total cost, provided by the sponsor, is $3,945,900. The preliminary engineering is estimated to cost $345,000 and is to be funded locally. The estimated cost of construction, including the rail re-configuration, is $3,600,000. The sponsor estimates that the facility can be open to the public by March 2007. The total earmark is $2,500,000. An obligation limit of 91% ($2,275,000) has been applied to the earmark total. Therefore, a total of $2,275,000 in earmark funding is available to the sponsor. Anything over $2,275,000 is the responsibility of the project sponsor. Staff Comment (Summary): Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: The sponsor must pay all costs over the obligation limit $2,275,000. Advance to committee and public review with the understanding that the sponsor will make a good-faith effort to address questions and comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: There is a National Highway System (NHS) connector leading to this facility; staff will follow up what the weight limits are. Plan/Forecast Team: Is this project part of a Master Plan? If so, what is it? Refer to Cuyahoga County Commissioners and Planning Commission for comment. Committee Review: Transportation Water Quality Council (TransWac): Request completion of questionnaire and return by May 5. What concepts of drainage system are being used for the road? Will the system inlcude catch basins and treatment? Where are the storm water discharge points to the Lake and the Cuyahoga River located? It is suggested that since much of the roadway is constructed on fill that may be contaminated, groundwater percolation should be avoided. How will the railroad right of way substrate that is to be removed for roadway construction be handled given that it is likely to be contaminated with oils, iron ore, and other pollutants? It is suggested that the management of road dust during construction be carefully considered. Comments following its May 16, 2006 meeting: A written resonse to preliminary comments was received clarifying several questions. The questionnaire was not completed by the project sponsor. The council believes that the project is subject to Ohio Environmental Protection Agency General Construction Permit requirements, and as such will need to address post construction BMPs including treatment of storm water effluent. The council recommends that the project sponsor establish a smapling point for storm water discharge from roadway facility prior to its combining with pre-existing flow. The council has concern regarding uncertainty of potential contaminants resulting from handling materials during operations and suggests that the design consider whether special BMPs are appropriate to address this. Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan and TIP. Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC): “This is a good project and should be constructed. I would hope that, as part of the design, an emergency route to move traffic from south of the NS railroad tracks to W. 49th Street is made available in the event the Willow Street Lift Bridge is out of service.” - Cuyahoga County 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.