The Governing Board approved the project planning review process for this project on June 14, 2002 by adopting Resolution 2002-044
Title: Railroad grade separation project at Norfolk Southern Railroad crossing in North Ridgeville
Sponsor: ODOT-3
Estimated Total Cost: $3,900,000
Proposed Source of Federal Funds:
History/Background:
The Transportation Review Advisory Council's (TRAC's) Railroad Grade Separation Subcommittee agreed to provide funding for the grade separation on SR-83 (Wooster Avon Lake Road) over the Norfolk Southern Railroad (NS RR) tracks in the City of North Ridgeville.
Current Conditions:
SR-83 is functionally classified as a minor arterial. SR-83 is a two-lane road with twelve-foot lanes; two foot paved shoulders and no sidewalks. The existing right-of-way is 60 feet. According to NOACA's Lorain County Railroad Crossing Ranking Study (October, 2000), approximately 54 trains traverse this crossing daily. The average daily traffic (ADT) is 4,850 vehicles. Average daily truck traffic is 580. No fixed route transit service is in the project area. The most proximate grade separated crossing, with respect to travel distance, is at NS RR and Butternut Ridge Road (approximately 4 miles). The terrain in the immediate area of the crossing is level. The land use alongside SR-83 (the crossroad) is vacant.
Proposed Project:
This project involves the feasibility study review, design and construction of a railroad grade separation at the Norfolk-Southern Railroad (NS RR) crossing. SR-83 will remain two lanes with twelve-foot lanes, two-foot shoulders and no sidewalks. However, the proposed right-of-way will be 80 feet wide. The estimated cost of the project is $3,900,000 (including detail design, right-of-way acquisition, construction and contingencies). ODOT's Railroad Grade Separation Program will fund $2,577,600. A Federal earmark of $527,400 has been secured for this project. Norfolfk Southern has committed $600,000 towards the project. The City of North Ridgeville will provide a 5% ($195,000).
Staff Comment (Summary):
- Meets Goals #1 (Advance the Regional Economy), #2 (Enhance the Natural Environment), #3 Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System, #6 (Minimize the Adverse Impacts of Additional System Capacity), #8 (Foster Partnerships to Strengthen the Region) of NOACA's Framework for Action 2025 and Goals #1 (System Preservation and Management), #2 (Economic Development and Quality of Life), #3 (Cooperative Planning Process and Transportation Efficiency), #4 Transportation Safety and #5 (Funding) of ODOT's Access Ohio.
- This project addresses issues of safety, congestion and air quality related to the at-grade railroad crossings. NOACA's Lorain County railroad crossing study ranks this crossing 5th of 65 locations tied with the SR-57 Grafton Street crossing (5 of 20 if ties are considered).
- Grade separations reduce queues and result in less congestion, which produce an air quality benefit.
- This project does not serve the urban core or environmental justice areas.
- This project will facilitate movement of goods and services.
- Safety considerations for both pedestrians and automobiles will be improved with the completion of this project.
- The road in this area is categorized on the Lorain County bike map for experienced riders only, and is shown as having a 3-foot shoulder rather than 2 foot shoulder according to the project sponsor. The Lorain County Engineer has been regularly providing 4 foot paved shoulders on the county roads.
Intergovernmental Review (IGR):
Public Involvement:
Committee Review:
- Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) recommends four feet shoulders instead of two or three feet. This would provide good enough conditions for this stretch of road to go from experienced only to intermediate, and provide some decent north/south access in a generally difficult area for cyclists.
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