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 and TIP Amendment Title: Construct All-purpose Trail in Elyria Sponsor: Lorain County Metropolitan Park District (LCMPD) Estimated Total Cost: $6,000,000 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA History/Background: The Black River is 16 miles long from the mouth to the branch and twin falls in Cascade Park in Elyria. The bikeway parallels the river along much of this distance, either in valley or along the top of the rim. Lorain County began planning for a regional bikeway system in 1992. When completed, this plan links Cleveland to Lorain to Toledo in coordination with the official State of Ohio adopted trail plan. Listed below are the segments of this plan in Lorain County that have already been accomplished or scheduled up to 2009: NORTH COAST INLAND TRAIL: City of Oberlin 3.1 miles 1990 Lorain County Metroparks 14.0 miles 1995 BLACK RIVER TRAIL: Lorain County Metro Parks 3.4 miles 1994 Lorain County Metroparks 2.1 miles 2007 Lorain County Metro Parks 1.1 miles 2008 Lorain County Metroparks 1.5 miles 2009 COLORADO ROAD TRAIL: Ohio Dept of Trans (ODOT) 1.0 miles 2008 The LCMPD has utilized the services of Behnke & Associates since 1994 to plan each phase of their trail system. The services of ODOT-approved engineering firms have been used for each phase of the construction. The sponsor reports that, throughout the history of this project, multiple alternative routes have been studied. These routes were evaluated for safety, construction cost, user access, and environmental issues. Local planning departments were also involved in the alternative analysis. Lorain County plans to complete the missing trail segments in the cities of Lorain (2.07 miles) and Elyria (4.28 miles) in 2010 and 2011, respectfully. These two segments will join together 15.2 miles of total trail (location map). The total cost of the two projects is estimated to be $7.7 million. In order to accomplish these projects, the cities of Lorain and Elyria, along with the MetroParks, require additional funding. On March 18th, 2009, the Board of Park Commissioners of the Lorain County Metropolitan Park District, Lorain County adopted Resolution 2009-24, authorizing “…the Director/Secretary to apply to NOACA for qualification for federal-aid funds for Phases 3 and 4 of the Black River Trail Extension project, and to enter into any agreements and do all things necessary and appropriate for qualifying for and obtaining this financial assistance, all with approval of legal counsel as to form.” Current Conditions: According to the Lorain County Metroparks District, the Black River and Lorain County have experienced significant development and growth. The river hosts environmentally-conscious businesses, cities and farms while maintaining a green corridor along much of its borders. The opening of the steel mill section of the Black River Bikeway in May 2008 signals the unique balance of nature and development. LCMPD prepared a report that indicates that the last two segments to be completed in Lorain will serve as the connector along the Black River, linking Lorain to Elyria and west to the North Coast Inland Trail. Phase 1 of the trail was completed in 2008, and Phase 2 was completed in September 2009. Proposed Project: The proposed project involves constructing a 4.28 mile all-purpose trail, from Gateway Boulevard, along Chestnut Street, Cascade Street, the Black River, West River Road and Ford Road, to the Lorain County Metroparks in Elyria (location maps). According to the sponsor, the proposed project is a standard trail design which improves street crossings and bridges along with the use of curb lanes. Implementation of this project will provide safer bikeways that connect to an already extensive bikeway system that links many communities in Lorain County. It will provide better access for bicycle transportation as well as recreational opportunities. The project sponsor indicates the route would serve high population centers as well as low income areas. The sponsor has identified critical issues associated with the Phase 4 proposed project. They are: Ford Road Segment: Requires coordination around Wal-Mart and establishment of one-way traffic along river bank. Ohio Turnpike Crossing and Route 57 Crossings: Require agreements with the Turnpike and ODOT. Route through and along Cascade Park. Selection of a route through downtown Elyria: Requires alternative analysis and final choice. Connection of Woodford Avenue to North Coast Inland Trail. The estimated total cost, provided by the sponsor, is $6,000,000. The estimated cost of preliminary engineering (PE) is $500,000, to be funded locally. The estimated cost of right-of-way (RW) is $500,000. The sponsor requests that $225,000 be funded with NOACA-attributable Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds (per NOACA RW policy). The sponsor will provide the non-federal share of the RW ($275,000). The construction cost is estimated to be $5,000,000. The sponsor requests NOACA-attributable Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to fund eighty percent ($4,000,000) of the construction cost. The sponsor will provide the remaining share ($1,000,000). Staff Comment (Summary): Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project is consistent with NOACA’s Connections 2030 Goals #4 (Establish Balance System which Enhances Modal Choices), #8 (Foster Intergovernmental and Private Sector Relationships to Strengthen Regional Community) and #10 (Quality of Life through Attention to Aesthetics in Planning) and ODOT’s Access Ohio 2004 - 2030 Goal #2 (Economic Development and the Quality of Life). Eligibility for CMAQ funding will require an analysis from the sponsor demonstrating pollutant emission reduction as a result of the project. The request for CMAQ funds will need to be processed consistent with Governing Board policy that was approved on April 13, 2007. The proposed project is eligible for NOACA-attributable Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Enhancement STP (E/ STP-M) funds. The sponsor should review the cost estimate of each phase at significant review stages of project design development. Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: Phase 3 will link up with existing sections of the Black River Trail to complete (with the exception of a very small section which is planned to get a bike lane) an approximately 15-mile long multipurpose path from Henderson Road in the city of Lorain to the North Coast Inland Trail trailhead in the city of Elyria, with a 14-mile trail going to Kipton. This will total approximately 30 miles. The proposed project will go through highly populated areas with 20 percent of the residents below the poverty line, and will be useful for transportation as well as recreation. Staff supports the project. 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. “The Lorain County Planning Commission voted to support this project.” - Lorain County Community Development Department 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). Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC): The BAC supports the project.