The NOACA Governing Board approved the following project as a candidate to be amended to the NOACA Transportation Plan by adopting Resolution No. 2005-012 and as a proposed amendment to the TIP by adopting Resolution 2005-013 on March 11, 2005.

Title: Resurfacing and Lane Widening on Cowley Road in Eaton Township
Sponsor:  Lorain County Engineer
Estimated Total Cost: $1,665,000
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA

History/Background:  The Lorain County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution No. 04-065 authorizing the county engineer to apply for federal aid for several proposed county road-resurfacing projects.

Current Conditions: Cowley Road is functionally classified as an urban collector. Cowley Road (CR-59) is a two-lane road with lanes ten feet (10’) wide and aggregate shoulders two feet (2’) wide. The width of the existing right-of-way (RW) is sixty feet (60’). The average daily traffic (ADT) on Cowley Road is 1,825 vehicles per day with one percent (1%) trucks (2002 count). The posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour. According to the sponsor, the existing surface is deteriorating and the lane width needs to be widened to eleven feet (11’) for a minor collector.

Proposed Project: This project involves resurfacing and widening lanes of approximately 2.67 miles of Cowley Road, from Crocker Road to SR-82 (Elyria-Twinsburg Road) in Eaton Township. The proposed project includes widening two lanes to eleven feet (11’) and including a paved shoulder four feet (4’) wide. The total construction cost is estimated to be $1,665,000. Eighty percent of the construction (C) cost ($1,332,000) can be funded with NOACA attributable Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. The sponsor will apply for Ohio Public Works (OPWC) funds for the twenty percent non-federal share ($333,000). Construction is estimated to begin in September 2006 (SFY 2007).

Staff Comment (Summary):

• This project promotes NOACA’s Framework For Action 2025 Plan Goal 3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System).
• This project is in keeping with Lorain County Engineers’ Annual Highway Condition Report, March 25, 2003.
• Recommend project with the use of best management practices at stream crossing.
• Project includes shoulders four feet wide, which will accommodate bicyclists well.
• Advance to committee and public review in order to obtain comments with the understanding that the sponsor will make a good-faith effort to address questions and comments.