On June 12, 2009 the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2009-017 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2009-018 Plan and TIP Amendment Title: Traffic Signal Improvements in Solon Sponsor: City of Solon Estimated Total Cost: $7,200,000 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA History/Background: The Solon City Council passed Resolution No. 2009-34, authorizing the mayor and the city engineer to execute and file an application to NOACA to pursue funding for a new traffic signal system, and declaring an emergency. Current Conditions: According to the sponsor, the City’s roadways currently experience a high traffic volume due to commuter and retail traffic. The sponsor reports that the major roadways in the City of Solon include SR-91 (SOM Center Road), SR-43 (Aurora Road), Cochran/Harper Road and Solon Road. SR-91 and Solon Road are functionally classified as urban principal arterials. In Solon, SR-43 is functionally classified as an urban minor arterial, from Richmond Road to SR-91 and as an urban principal arterial, from SR-91 to the Solon east corporation line. Cochran/Harper Road is functionally classified as an urban collector. The sponsor reports the average daily traffic (ADT) as follows: SR-91 – 7,700 to 30,000 ADT; SR-43 – 9,550 to 20,350 ADT; Cochran/Harper Road – 6,300 to 24,050 ADT; and Solon Road – 5,750 to 16,950 ADT. The sponsor reports that a modern traffic signal system is necessary to maintain the flow of traffic throughout the city. The city currently has a residential population of 25,600 with a large influx of daily workers. The existing systems are well-monitored and maintained but need to be replaced due to the age and limitations of the existing controllers and other signal equipment. Much of the existing system hardware is past its expected useful life and requires replacement. According to the sponsor, the City considered simply upgrading all of the existing controllers and associated hardware, but believed it to be insufficient due to the age of many of the signals supports, wire and other infrastructure, much of which was installed in the early 1970s. The sponsor asserts that the optimal solution is to replace the controller equipment, the signal support poles, underground conduit, pull boxes, and wiring as well as interconnect and upgrade the vehicle detection and software control systems, and create a central control server for the system. Proposed Project: The proposed project involves replacing equipment and upgrading the city’s closed-loop signal system to a central based control system. The project involves approximately 46 signals (location map). The sponsor reports, that, at older intersections, the signals will be completely rebuilt; at more recently constructed intersections, the signals will be upgraded as needed. The estimated cost of construction, provided by the sponsor, is $7,200,000. Eighty percent ($5,760,000) of the construction cost can be funded with Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds or Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. The City of Solon will provide the twenty percent local match ($1,440,000). Staff Comment (Summary): Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project is consistent with NOACA’s Connections 2030 Plan Goal #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System), #4 (Establish More Balanced Transportation System), #5 (Improve Mobility of Transit Dependent) and #7 (Reinvestment in the Urban Core,) and ODOT’s Access Ohio 2004 - 2030 Goal #4 (System Preservation). The sponsor should conduct a complete traffic warrants analysis study (if not done already) to verify all proposed signalized intersections. NOACA requests a copy of the existing traffic counts and the signal warrant study when completed. Eligibility for CMAQ funding will require an analysis from the sponsor demonstrating pollutant emission reduction as a result of the project. The request for CMAQ funds will need to be processed consistent with Governing Board policy that was approved on April 13, 2007. The sponsor should review the cost estimate of each phase at significant review stages of project design development. Video detection is included as part of this project, which is capable of turn movement traffic counts. NOACA requests the city to provide traffic counts on major intersections on a yearly basis. The sponsor will be required to document that this project conforms to regional Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) architecture. The sponsor should include accommodations for the blind and visually impaired (e.g. sound-actuated signals). The emergency vehicle pre-emption should be coordinated with neighboring communities. The sponsor is encouraged to use light emitting diode (LED) signal heads. Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: Solon Road from SR-91 to Cannon Road is operating at level-of-service (LOS) “F”. The volume-to-capacity (V/C) ratio = 1.092. SR-91 from Maple Drive to Cannon Road is operating at level-of-service (LOS) “F”. The volume-to-capacity (V/C) ratio = 1.095. SR-91 from SR-43 to Station Street is operating at level-of-service (LOS) “F”. The volume-to-capacity (V/C) ratio = 1.099. SR-91 from Station Street to north of railroad overpass is operating at level-of-service (LOS) “F”. The volume-to-capacity (V/C) ratio = 1.061. The entire system will use video technology, which is able to detect bicyclists and pedestrians. 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. 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: Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan.