On September 11, 2009 the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2009-026 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2009-026 Plan and TIP Amendment Title: Widen Heisley Road in Mentor Sponsor: City of Mentor Estimated Total Cost: $5,700,000 (Right-of-way and Construction) Proposed Source of Federal Funds: SAFETEA-LU and NOACA History/Background: HNTB Ohio, Inc. prepared The Heisley Road Improvements and Environmental Assessment Document, dated February 2000, studying the Heisley Road Corridor, from US-20 (Mentor Avenue) to SR-2, in Mentor, with alternatives and environmental clearance, etc. Phase I of the Heisley Road improvements involved the construction of grade separations over the CSX & Norfolk Southern railroads, between Jackson Road and Hendricks Road, including widening from two to four lanes. Phase I was completed in 2004. Heisley Road (Phases II and III) is listed in Tier II (Project List of Major Regional Transportation Investments) of NOACA’s Connections 2030: A Framework for the 2030 Transportation System, 2009 Update, adopted by NOACA Governing Board Resolution 2009-013 (May 8, 2009). Phase II of the improvements involved widening Heisley Road from two to four lanes, from Hendricks Road to SR-2. It was completed in 2008. The City of Mentor 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. 2342 (Streetscaping, bicycle trails and related improvements to the I-90 and SR-615 interchange). The SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Bill (Public Law 110-244), dated June 6, 2008 modified the language in the HHPP No. 2342 by inserting “and to Heisley Road” after “interchange”. On August 19, 2008, the City of Mentor adopted Ordinance No. 08-0-100 authorizing the city manager to submit an application to NOACA for the Heisley Road Improvements, Phase III Project for the purpose of acquiring surface transportation funds and agreeing to the future maintenance of the proposed project, and declaring an emergency. Current Conditions: Heisley Road is functionally classified as an urban minor arterial. The average daily traffic is 23,050 vehicles per day with 6 percent trucks (2008 count). The section of Heisley Road, from US-20 (Mentor Avenue) to Jackson Street is a two-lane facility with lanes 14 feet wide. The existing pavement is 28 feet. The existing width of right-of-way is 60 feet. The existing sidewalks are 5 feet wide. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour (mph). Proposed Project: The project involves widening Heisley Road from two to four lanes, 0.80 mile from Mentor Avenue to Jackson Street, in Mentor (location map) . The proposed pavement is 52 feet wide, with inside lanes 12 feet wide and outside lanes 14 feet wide.) The proposed width of right-of-way is 80 feet. The speed limit will remain 35 mph. The proposed width of the sidewalks is 5 feet. The estimated total cost, provided by the sponsor, is $5,700,000. The estimated cost of right-of-way (RW) is $500,000. According to the sponsor, the technical corrections bill passed in the House of U.S. Representatives could relocate unused portions of the SAFETEA-LU Earmark No. 2342 to the Heisley Road project. The sponsor is also requesting the use of NOACA Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. The sponsor requests that $225,000 be funded with NOACA controlled Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds (per NOACA RW policy). The sponsor will provide the non-federal share of the RW. The estimated cost of construction is $5,200,000. The sponsor requests that $2,600,000 be funded with NOACA controlled STP funds (per NOACA policy regarding funding for capacity adding projects). The sponsor will provide the non-federal share of the construction. The sponsor estimates that the facility can be open for public use by October 2012. Staff Comment (Summary): Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project is consistent with NOACA’s Connections 2030 Goal #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System) and #6 (Provide Additional System Capacity that Promote NOACA Principles and Minimize Adverse Impacts) and ODOT’s Access Ohio 2004 - 2030 Goal #1 (Transportation Safety). This project (LAK HEISLEY RD PHASE II & III) is currently portrayed in NOACA’s SFYs 2008 – 2011 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), dated May 11, 2007, with only local funds. The sponsor’s request for STP funds for (Phase III of) the project’s right-of-way and construction cost merits its processing through project planning review (PPR). The sponsor should review the cost estimate at significant review stages of project design development. Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: 2008 pavement condition ratings (PCR) on Heisley Road range from 64 - 66 (fair/poor to fair condition). In June 2012, when construction is scheduled, the PCR will range between 53 - 54 (poor condition). NOACA's Regional Pavement Management System (RPMS) recommends major rehabilitation on this segment of Heisley Road. Heisley Rd. Phase III: This section of Heisley Road is categorized for experienced cyclists only on the Lake County Bike Transportation Map. It is on the NOACA Bicycle Facility Priority Plan. The sponsor is seeking NOACA attributable funding and according to the Regional Bicycle Transportation Plan, reconstruction and widening projects using NOACA funding “shall include bicycle facilities” unless the sponsor demonstrates “pursuant to NOACA’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Policy that bicycle facilities are not feasible.” (Page 15) Staff recommendation: Provide 15’ wide curb lanes, unless demonstrating infeasibility according to the multimodal Planning Policy in the NOACA Regional Transportation Investment Policy. This could be accomplished by narrowing the inner 12’ lanes to 11’ at no further cost. Additionally, it’s not clear from the supplemental information form submitted if the intent is to provide 5’ sidewalks the entire length of the project, or just replace them where existing. It is recommended to provide them the entire length of 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. 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. Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC): Provide 15-foot curb lanes and post "Share the Road" signs. Asset Management Council: The AMC agrees with the RPMS recommendation to perform major rehabilitation on this segment of Heisley Road.