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 Rockside Road in Bedford, Bedford Heights and Maple Heights Sponsor: Cuyahoga County Engineer Estimated Total Cost: $6,000,000 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA History/Background: The Cities of Bedford (Ordinance No. 7805-06), Bedford Heights (Ordinance No. 2006-076) and Maple Heights (Ordinance No. 2006-037) passed ordinances to cooperate with the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners to improve Rockside Road in Bedford, Bedford Heights and Maple Heights. Current Conditions: Rockside Road is a four-lane facility with center turn lanes between the major intersections. Left turn lanes are included at each major intersection, making the intersections five lanes. The lane widths vary from 12 to 14 feet wide. The pavement width varies along Rockside Road, from 52 to 87.5 feet. Rockside Road is functionally classified as an urban principal arterial. The average daily traffic on Rockside Road is 12,597 vehicles per day with three to ten percent trucks (2000). The posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour (mph). According to the sponsor, Rockside Road is one of the busiest commercial areas within the three cities and is in need of a pavement upgrade. The sponsor reports several retail businesses exist along the segment of Rockside Road. The sponsor also states the last major resurfacing done on this segment of Rockside was more than 20 years ago. Proposed Project:  This project involves repairing and resurfacing 2.90 miles of Rockside Road, from Broadway Avenue to Aurora Road, in Bedford, Bedford Heights and Maple Heights. The lane width will be retained. The estimated total cost, provided by the sponsor, is $6,000,000. The sponsor requests that eighty percent ($4,800,000) of the construction (C) cost be funded with NOACA-administered Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. The Cuyahoga County Engineer intends to provide the non-federal share of construction ($1,200,000). The project can be designed and ready to construct in July 2009. 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 56-76 (within the fair-poor to good 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 34-52 (in the poor range). This project is rehab only and doesn’t include any reconstruction or widening. However, this section of Rockside Road. is categorized as for only cyclists with expert skills on the Cuyahoga County Bike Transportation Map. Because it’s such an important transportation route, it should accommodate cyclists in the future. 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: Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan. Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC): “RTA operates the #802 circulator road along this portion of Rockside Road. RTA expects traffic will be maintained during construction. Any improvements to the street that incorporate transit shelters, bus pads, and sidewalks would assist transit passengers.” – GRCTA 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.