On December 12, 2008, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2008-036 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2008-037 Plan and TIP Amendment Title: Improvements on SR-254 in Sheffield Township Sponsor: Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)-District 3 PID No.: 83793 Estimated Total Cost: $2,113,043 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) History/Background: This project is included in ODOT District 3’s safety program. Current Conditions: SR-254 (North Ridge Road) is functionally classified as an urban minor arterial. The pavement width of SR-254 is 28 feet, consisting of two twelve-foot wide lanes and two-foot wide paved shoulders. The width of the existing right-of-way is 60 feet. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour. The average daily traffic (ADT) is 13,900 vehicles per day with two percent trucks (2005 traffic count). A safety study for this section of SR-254 was completed in December 2003 due to the section’s inclusion in the 2002 Highway Safety Program. The accident data was reviewed from 1/1/2000 through 12/31/2002 and it resulted in 45 accidents. The majority of these accidents were rear end accidents. However, a pattern of left turn accidents was identified for westbound vehicles attempting a left turn onto West River Road. As a result of that study, it was recommended to change the protected/permissive left turn phasing for westbound vehicles at West River Road to protected only, install an eastbound right-turn lane at West River Road and install a center turn lane throughout the entire section along SR-254. Proposed Project: The project involves installing an exclusive right-turn lane on SR-254, eastbound, at the West River Road intersection. The project also involves the installation of a two-way left turn lane along 0.37 mile of SR-254, from SR-57 at Lorain Boulevard to West River Road, in Sheffield Township. The proposed pavement width would be 40 feet, consisting of three lanes 12 feet wide and shoulders two feet wide. The proposed project also includes eight-foot wide sidewalks on each side. The estimated total construction cost is $2,113,043. Ninety percent ($1,901,739) of the construction cost will be funded with the Highway Safety Improvement Program funding. Ten percent ($211,304) of the construction cost will be funded by ODOT. This project has an award date of October 1, 2012. Staff Comment (Summary): Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: The ADT and accident data combined with various trip generators along SR-254 and at the intersections of SR-57 and West River Road warrants the proposed two-way left turn lane along SR-254. This project is consistent with NOACA’s Connections 2030 Plan Goal #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System) and ODOT’s Access Ohio 2004 - 2030 Goals #3 (Efficient, Reliable Traffic Flow) and #4 (System Preservation). Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: The intersection of SR-254/SR-57 carries between 16 and 111 Lorain County Transit (LCT) buses from three routes (1, 2 and 51) on an average weekday. The intersection of SR-254/West River Road carries between 16 and 59 LCT buses from three different routes (3, 31 and 51). Install 4’ paved shoulders along this section of SR-254 instead of 2’ paved shoulders. This project is on the NOACA Bicycle Facility Priority 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. "The Lorain County Planning Commission met on October 23, 2008 and voted to support this project." - Lorain County Community Development Department 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: Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC): Install 4’ paved shoulders along this section of SR-254 instead of 2’ paved shoulders. This project is on the NOACA Bicycle Facility Priority Plan Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan and TIP.