On March 9, 2007, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2007-006 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2007-007 Plan Amendment Title:  Resurface Oberlin Road in New Russia and Amherst Townships Sponsor: Lorain County Engineer Estimated Total Cost: $396,000 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA History/Background: On September 7, 2006, the Lorain County Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 06-689, applying for federal funding for Oberlin Road, in New Russia and Amherst Townships. Current Conditions: Oberlin Road, functionally classified as an urban collector, is a two-lane facility with lanes 11 feet wide and shoulders 4 feet wide. The existing pavement, including shoulders, is 30 feet wide. The speed limit is 55 miles per hour (mph). The average daily traffic (ADT) is 3,324 vehicles per day with approximately 2 percent trucks (1999). The sponsor reports the existing pavement is beyond its useful life and requires increased maintenance efforts for potholes and crack sealing. The sponsor also states that this roadway section accommodates significant traffic volumes and is a high priority for maintenance on the County Highway System. Proposed Project:  This project involves resurfacing 2.04 miles of Oberlin Road, from Russia Road to SR-133 (Milan – Elyria Road), in New Russia and Amherst Townships. The work involves pavement planing, resurfacing and new pavement markings. The lane and shoulder widths will be retained. The sponsor reports that the project will include a new pavement surface and restore the cross slope and road profile of a deteriorated roadway section. The new pavement will provide a surface for more visible and longer lasting pavement markings, enhancing safety for motorists. The sponsor declares the proposed improvements will provide a benefit for local and through traffic. The estimated total cost, provided by the sponsor, is $396,000. The sponsor requests that eighty percent ($316,800) of the construction (C) cost be funded with NOACA-administered Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. The Lorain County Engineer intends to provide the non-federal share of construction ($79,200) through the funding obtained from either motor vehicle gasoline tax or the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC). The preliminary engineering (PE) costs will be borne by the sponsor. The project can be designed and ready to construct in August 2008. Staff Comment (Summary): Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project serves NOACA’s System Preservation Goals. At its March 17, 2006 meeting, the RTIS authorized staff to inform applicants that it is unlikely that any new application requesting federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds for 2006-2009 would be approved due to the funding shortfall. Because circumstances may change, we recommend that successful applications requesting funds for 2006-2009 be placed on the Transportation Plan (2010 and beyond). If funding becomes available, proposed projects can be considered for funding on a case-by-case basis. Criteria used by the RTIS for programming a project will include the status of other reservoir projects, project readiness, county targets, type of project, project cost and Board priorities. 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) Team: The 2004 pavement condition ratings (PCRs) in this project area are between 66-68 (within the fair range), without any maintenance done on this section in 2010 (the year of construction) the RPMS software degrades the PCRs in this area to between 49-51 (in the poor range). This project accommodates cyclists as proposed with 4’ paved shoulders. Plan Forecast Team: Current Board policy permits eligible project sponsors to submit project applications for federal-aid routes on an as-needed basis, and funding targets are set for each of the five counties. The Board’s Principles and Transportation Plan Goals regarding sustainable economic development, compact land use and environmental justice need to be more integrated into the Regional Transportation Investment Policy. This is especially true given the current state of federal finances, the uneven fiscal capacity among communities, and the number of fiscally distressed communities in the region. To develop a more sustainable economy and improve regional planning, the TAC should revisit these policies (or refine them) in the near future. Committee Review: Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC): The 4’ paved shoulders are adequate to serve most cyclists. Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan. 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. If you have any questions regarding the Intergovernmental Review and Consultation process please contact staff at (216) 241-2414, Ext. 322. 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.