On September 14, 2007, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding these projects: Resolution No. 2007-032 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2007-033 Plan Amendment Title: Newell Creek Bicycle and Pedestrian Path in Mentor Sponsor: Lake Metroparks PID No.: 80964 Estimated Total Cost: $1,820,000 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: SAFETEA-LU History/Background: The interchange at I-90 and SR-615 (Center Street) opened to traffic in November 2003. Lake Metroparks is the sponsor of two Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 – a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) earmarks: House High Priority Projects (HHPP) Earmark No. 746 (Planning and construction of a bicycle trail adjacent to the I-90 and SR-615 interchange); and 14 percent of a Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) re-assigned Earmark No. 1096 (planning and construction of a bicycle trail adjacent to such interchange). On May 23, 2007, the Board of Park Commissioners of Lake Metroparks passed Resolution No. 2007-039 supporting the Lake Metroparks application for inclusion on the NOACA Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) List. Current Conditions: SR-615 is functionally classified as an urban principal arterial north of I-90. SR-84 is functionally classified as an urban minor arterial. Garfield Road is functionally classified as an urban local road. The average daily traffic (ADT) along this section of SR-615 varies from 4,400 to 18,100 vehicles per day and the ADT on SR-84 is 13,320 vehicles per day (Lake County Traffic Counts prepared by NOACA, 2005). Proposed Project: The proposed project involves constructing a two-way, multi-use asphalt path, ten feet wide, stretching from the southeast corner of the SR-84 (Johnnycake Ridge Road) and Garfield Road to Norton Parkway in the Newell Creek Development in Mentor. The project will also include a 20-space parking lot. The sponsor reports the proposed one-mile section of trail will tie into an asphalt path currently being constructed by the City of Mentor along Norton Parkway within the Newell Creek Development. The sponsor reports that LakeMetroparks is working closely with the City of Mentor on the project. According to the sponsor, the City of Mentor intends to use federal transportation funds to acquire a portion of remaining open space with thin the Newell Creek Development. Once the city has acquired the necessary land, Lake Metroparks and the City will enter into a lease-management agreement on approximately 75 acres and build the trail and parking facilities on that section of land between Norton Parkway, Garfield Road and SR-84. The engineering services and environmental services and environmental site assessment work will be addressed by Lake Metroparks per ODOT standards and funded by the park district. The estimated total cost, provided by the sponsor, is $610,000. The combined total of the earmarks is $2,490,000 (i.e. No. 746 - $2,000,000; and No. 1096 - $490,000). An obligation limit of 91% ($1,820,000) has been applied to the HHPP earmark (No. 746). The entire amount of the TEA-21 earmark (No. 1096) is available to the sponsor. Therefore, a combined total of $2,310,000 in earmark funding is available to the sponsor. The sponsor will utilize $490,000 from the TEA-21 federal earmark (No. 1096) toward the construction costs associated with the project. Lake Metroparks will cover costs above the earmark federal funding. The sponsor states the project schedule (especially construction) will ultimately depend on when the City of Mentor is able to complete the acquisition of land within the Newell Creek Development. Staff Comment (Summary): Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: The sponsor must pay all costs over the obligation limit $2,310,000. 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): This project would provide more opportunities for walking and cycling. It is planned to eventually hook up to facilities that Mentor is proposing that would go through the Tri-C campus and down to Penitentiary Glen, and it could serve a transportation purpose. Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC): "The City of Mentor supports this project. This project encourages multimodal transportation in accordance with City practices and provides an additional travel route to Lakeland Community College from the Newell Creek Development area." - Office of City Engineer 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: Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC): This project would provide more opportunities for walking and cycling. It is planned to eventually hook up to facilities that Mentor is proposing that would go through the Lakeland College campus and down to Penitentiary Glen, and it could serve a transportation purpose. Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan.