Governing Board Action: February 14, 2003

At their February 14 meeting, NOACA Governing Board members approved the Phase I study for the Lower Big Creek, an area south of I-71 and east of Ridge Road in the City of Cleveland encompassing the Old Brooklyn and Brooklyn Centre neighborhoods. The study, the first stage in a three-stage process, assesses environmental, land use and transportation conditions in the Lower Big Creek Valley and outlines strategies for cleaning up the valley, preserving the area’s green space, and revitalizing the neighborhoods. The study’s executive summary, as well as the complete report, may be viewed on NOACA’s web site.

The Board also approved a resolution outlining regional priorities for reauthorization of the federal surface transportation law. The NOACA resolution asks that legislators consider several changes and issues in the next law, which will replace the current Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century. Among the priorities: retaining the local decision-making process granted to metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and increasing the federal funding allocations to MPOs for the region’s transportation projects.

By resolution, the Board affirmed continued support for the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge enhancement project. The project – which will be implemented with $1.74 million of NOACA-controlled Transportation Enhancement Activity funding – proposes converting general-purpose lanes on the bridge in each direction to dedicated bicycle/pedestrian lanes. NOACA selected the project for funding in December 2001. The project’s design is being altered to provide safer conditions for citizens using the lanes.

The Board also approved NOACA staff services for a traffic study proposing the connection of the East 98th Street/I-480 interchange to Rockside Road in Garfield Heights. NOACA’s work on the study will entail current traffic analysis and traffic forecasts for the proposed extension of East 98th Street.

The Board authorized increased expenditures for conducting this year’s regional Ozone Action Day Program. The Ozone Action Day Program promotes public awareness of potential high ozone levels and the associated health and economic impacts. Staff also publicizes actions that the public, local governments and business can take voluntarily to help reduce ozone levels. The Board-authorized funding will be used for publications and other materials, media buys, Metro Traffic ads, maintaining the Northeast Ohio Air Quality Online web site, and ozone forecasting.