On September 10, 2010 the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2010-032 Project Planning Review and Resolution No. 2010-033 Plan and TIP Amendment. Title: Widen US-20 in North Ridgeville Sponsor: ODOT District 3 Name: LORUS 20-22.19 PID No. 82632 Estimated Total Cost: $38,438,500 (Preliminary Engineering, Right-of-Way and Construction) Proposed Source of Federal Funds: ODOT History/Background: This project is on Tier III of NOACA’s long-range plan Connections 2030: A Framework for the 2030 Transportation System 2009 Update as adopted by NOACA Governing Board Resolution 2009-013 May 8, 2009. In 2009, the City of North Ridgeville passed Resolution No. 1167-2009, authorizing the mayor to apply for TRAC (Transportation Review Advisory Council) funding. According to the sponsor, the majority of the people in the community have expressed their desire for this project through the three well-attended public meetings. Current Condition: US-20 (Center Ridge Road) is the main east-west roadway and major commercial nexus through the City of North Ridgeville. According to the sponsor, the purpose of the proposed project is to accommodate travel and traffic demand in this section of US-20 resulting from continued localized and regional growth as a result of past, current, and imminent commercial and residential development. The sponsor reports that the existing roadway is currently exceeding its capacity with an average daily traffic (ADT) of 15,500 vehicles per day and a V/C (volume/capacity) ratio that exceeds 1.0. The purpose of the project is to relieve congestion along US-20, increase safety by reducing the number of traffic accidents, eliminate geometric deficiencies, improve access by eliminating/consolidating driveways, enhance pedestrian/bicycle facilities, and improve the aesthetic quality of the corridor with the aim of encouraging economic development. Proposed Project: The project involves widening approximately 2.30 miles of Center Ridge Road from three lanes to five lanes, from Stoney Ridge Road to Lear Nagle Road, in North Ridgeville (location map). The project includes upgrading and synchronization of the existing traffic signals and addition of turn lanes where needed. It also includes the addition of a six-foot-wide sidewalk and 10-foot-wide multi-use path. Two connector roads will also be added to enable side street traffic to enter commercial developments without using Center Ridge Road. The Root Road intersection will be realigned. The sponsor reports the project will address the mode connection with the addition of sidewalks and a multipurpose path. The addition of sidewalks and the multipurpose path will allow residents to walk or bike to bus stops. The Lorain County Transit route that services Center Ridge Road has a connection to the GCRTA system allowing access to the greater Cleveland area. The estimated total project cost, provided by the sponsor, is $38,438,500. The estimated cost of preliminary development environmental document is $940,000. The estimated cost of preliminary engineering detail design (PEDD) is $940,000. The estimated cost of right-of-way (RW) is $6,325,000. The estimated cost of construction is $30,233,500. Staff Comment (Summary): Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project is consistent with NOACA’s Connections 2030 Plan Goals #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System), Goal #4 (More Balanced Transportation System which Enhances Modal Choices) and Goal #6 (Provide System Capacity Improvements that Promote NOACA Principles), and ODOT’s Access Ohio 2004 - 2030 Goals #3 (Efficient, Reliable Traffic Flow) and #4 (System Preservation). NOACA staff has had discussions with ODOT about the financial plan for this project. While no NOACA funds are being requested at this time, it is unclear what federal funds will be used for the construction of this project. Staff recommends that RTIS and TAC discuss the financial plan for this project prior to recommending it for Board approval. The sponsor should review the construction cost estimate at significant review stages of the project’s development. Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: This section of US-20 is on the NOACA Bicycle Facility Priority Plan and is categorized as “not suitable for cyclists although there may be no alternate route” on the Lorain County Bike Transportation Map. The proposed project is a multimodal project, with a 10-foot multipurpose path and six-foot sidewalk, and will provide safe accommodation for all levels of bicyclists and pedestrians. When completed, this section of US-20 will be re-categorized to suitable for cyclists with basic skills, a very large improvement. 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 voted to support this project at its July 22nd meeting. - Lorain County Community Development Department We support this project. - City of Avon Lake We support this project. - Elyria Township Trustee 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 and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC): The BAC concurs with the RTS Team comments.