On September 9, 2005, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project:
Resolution No. 2005-038 Project Planning Review
Resolution No. 2005-039 Plan Amendment.

Title: Resurface Russia Road in New Russia and Carlisle Townships
Sponsor:  Lorain County Engineer
Estimated Total Cost: $971,180
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA

History/Background:  The Lorain County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution No. 04-065 authorizing the county engineer to apply for federal aid for several proposed county road resurfacing projects. Russia Road was functionally classified as an urban minor arterial in 1991. However, as a result of an update to the functional classification system, Russia Road is now classified as a local road.

Current Conditions: Russia Road (CR-57) is a two-lane road with lanes eleven feet (11’) wide and paved shoulders three feet (3’) wide. The width of the existing right-of-way (RW) is sixty feet (60’). The average daily traffic (ADT) on Russia Road is 5,500 vehicles per day with one percent (5%) trucks (2001 count). The posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour.

Proposed Project: This project involves planing and resurfacing approximately 4.95 miles of Russia Road, from SR-58 to the Oberlin-Elyria Road, in New Russia and Carlisle Township. The total construction cost is estimated to be $971,180. Eighty percent of the construction (C) cost ($776,944) can be funded with NOACA-attributable Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. The sponsor will apply for Ohio Public Works (OPWC) funds for the twenty percent non-federal share ($194,236).

Staff Comment (Summary):

TIPTeam: Russia Road has been reclassified from an urban minor arterial to a local road. However, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has indicated that a road that was on the Federal Aid System prior to ISTEA (the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act), but was removed subsequent to ISTEA has "grandfathered" eligibility for funding. For a project on such a road to be funded, the FHWA Division would have to first make a determination that the road, in fact, met the criteria.

Plan/Forecast Team: recommends that this project go to the Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS) and Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) for consideration.

Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: This section of Russia Road has 3’ paved shoulders, but because of the 55 mph speed limit, could use at least another foot of paved shoulder to accommodate cyclists safely.

Intergovernmental Review (IGR):

Public Involvement:
I request your support for making wider shoulders on Russia Road and on SR-303 from SR-83 to the Huron County line. I ride my bicycle every day around Lorain County. I would like to ride on these two roads but there is no berm to ride on, and the roads are too busy to ride on in the lane without disrupting traffic.

Please consider seriously enlarging the berm on Russia Road and SR-303 so cyclists like me can ride safely. Thank you for considering my viewpoint.

Pat Serio
Oberlin, OH

Committee Review:
Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee/Transportation Advisory Committee: No comments: recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan.

Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC):
This road needs minimum 4' paved shoulders to accommodate intermediate and experienced cyclists.