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Reconstruct and Realign Vrooman Road in Leroy and Perry Townships

 

On June 9, 2006, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project:
Resolution No. 2006-022 Project Planning Review
Resolution No. 2006-023 Plan Amendment.

Title:  Reconstruct and Realign Vrooman Road in Leroy and Perry Townships
Sponsor:  Lake County Engineer
Estimated Total Cost: $22,471,000
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA

 History/Background: This project was originally amended to NOACA’s state fiscal year (SFY) 1986 – 1990 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) on January 8, 1986 (via Resolution 86-021). The project involves the reconstruction and realignment of approximately 1.5 miles of Vrooman Road (CR-227), beginning near the I-90 North Ramps and extending to SR-84 (Riverside Drive), in Leroy Township and Perry Township. The project also includes relocating a bridge on Vrooman Road that crosses the Grand River. On January 8, 1994 the project was amended (via Resolution 94-044) to include a preliminary engineering phase involving additional study of an American Indian burial ground archeological site discovered during the environmental clearance.

The project is currently listed in the SFY 2006 – 2009 TIP in SFY 2009 with an estimated total project of $10,781,081 [right-of-way (RW) - $110,000; construction (C) - $9,635,850; and archeological recovery/preliminary engineering (AR) – $1,035,231]. A total of $7,858,680 in Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds is currently programmed for the project ($30,000 for RW; $7,708,680 for C and $120,000 for the PE archeological recovery).

Current Conditions: Vrooman Road is functionally classified as an urban collector. Vrooman Road is a two-lane facility with a pavement width of 20 feet. The average daily traffic (ADT) is 5,950 vehicles per day (March 2006). The posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour (mph). The abutting property on both sides of the existing right-of-way consists of private owners, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI) and Lake Metroparks.

Vrooman Road crosses the Grand River on a low-level bridge within the Mason’s Landing Park of Lakemetro Parks. The sponsor reports that the bridge structure has posed continuous repair problems due to its being below the 100-year flood elevation and subject to flooding. Several times a year, the river empties its banks and floods the approaches, forcing closure. When the Vrooman Road bridge is closed, the closest crossings of the Grand River are Blair Road, located approximately two miles to the east and SR-86, located approximately four miles to the west (both of which also flood periodically). The Lake County Engineer reports that this route has been closed more than 20 days in 2005.

According to a 2002 Physical Condition Report prepared by HNTB, Ohio for the Lake County Engineer, the condition of all but one part of the bridge was reported as fair or poor. According to a 2003 Bridge Inspection Report, the general appraisal and operating status was “4/P (poor condition/posted for carrying load restrictions). The load limit has been reduced to 16 tons.

The sponsor reports that Vrooman Road was nominated by the Homeland Security Department as the preferred emergency evacuation route for the Perry Nuclear Power Plant located approximately seven miles north. The preferred route follows Lane Road south from SR-44 to SR-84, where it continues southwest on SR-84 - periodically - to Vrooman Road. The route continues on Vrooman Road to the I-90 interchange.

Proposed Project:  A Vrooman Road Planning Study, dated December 12, 2005, conducted by Trans-Systems Corporation identifies five potential alternatives [A - providing access to Madison Road via a high-level bridge, B - providing access to Lane Road via a high-level bridge, C - providing access to Madison Road via a slightly elevated low-level bridge through the Grand River Valley, D – replacing the bridge in the current location and E – taking no action (i.e. no build)]. The sixth of six stakeholder meetings was held on February 16, 2005, to choose a preferred concept for the project. The sponsor reports that the stakeholder committee chose alternative B as the preferred concept for further development.

The total cost associated with the proposed work is most recently (2/27/06) estimated at $22,471,000 (right-of-way - $350,000; construction - $18,821,000; and environmental/archeological recovery/preliminary engineering – $3,300,000). In accordance with NOACA’s Regional Transportation Investment Policy (September 2003), “projects already on the Plan or TIP that request a change in scope or significant cost increase (greater than 20 percent) must go through PPR again.” Eighty percent of the revised total construction cost ($15,056,000) can be funded with NOACA Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. Twenty percent ($3,764,000) of the revised total construction cost will be funded locally.

Staff Comment (Summary):
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team:
  • At its March 17, 2006 meeting, the RTIS authorized staff to inform applicants that it is unlikely that any new application requesting federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds for 2006-2009 would be approved due to the funding shortfall. Because circumstances may change, we recommend that successful applications requesting funds for 2006-2009 be placed on the Transportation Plan (2010 and beyond). If funding becomes available, proposed projects can be considered for funding on a case-by-case basis. Criteria used by the RTIS for programming a project will include the status of other reservoir projects, project readiness, county targets, type of project, project cost and Board priorities.
  • The proposed improvement will upgrade the two-lane roadway and construct a new two-lane roadway and bridge. The improvement will provide a safer and more reliable facility between the project limits for both users and abutting properties and not be subject to the Grand River flooding common to the existing conditions.
  • Recommend this project go to the Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS) and Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) for consideration.
Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team:
  • This project will provide 10' paved shoulder that improves bike accommodation.
Plan/Forecast Team:
  • This project/study needs serious scrutiny from all angles.
Committee Review:
Transportation Water Quality Council (TransWac):
  • It is recommended that project sponsor consult and follow guidelines concerning direct runoff from bridges from Report 474 of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program.
  • It is recommended that attention be given to mitigating downstream erosion effects from stabilizing any stream shoulders.
  • It is suggested that pier spacing be maximized to minimize constraint on river meanders.
  • The committee is interested in having an opportunity to interact with project sponsor during course of project evaluation, design and construction.
  • Completion of this crossing will open a large area east of Painesville to development. Have the secondary impacts on water resources been evaluated in terms of demands for wastewater collection and treatment, drinking water services, storm water impacts from large area development, impacts on critical environment resources and the like?
Comments following its May 16, 2006 meeting:

The questionnaire was completed by the project sponsor. The project sponsor has indicated commitment to consider comments above and has forwarded these to its design consultant.

Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC):
  • Accept the Project Planning Review, have the project sponsor continue to work on a financial plan for the project and amend the project costs in the Plan.
    • Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC):
    “I would support this project. It has been on the books starting in 1960 and has been part of any township updates we have done over the years. It will be a help to the communities in the eastern half of the county. Particularly Leroy and Perry.”
    - Lake County Planning Commission

    “The Board of Lake County Commissioners supports this project.”
    - Lake County Board of Commissioners

    “Based on their presentation at the TAC, this project appears to be desperately needed primarily because of the flooding. This project should be seriously considered by NOACA.”
    - Lorain County Transit

    “I support the project.”
    - Laketran
    "This project is not of interest to the Lake County Historical Society at this time."
    - Lake County Historical Society

    "The Painesville Township Board of Trustees extends their support of this project."
    -Painesville Township

    "Perry Village strongly supports the Vrooman Road Improvement Project. This project will enhance the economic development of eastern Lake County. Also, and importantly, improve the evacuation of the entire Perry Community, and that of eastern Painesville Township, if that need ever arises in future."
    -Laurence Logan, Mayor-Perry Village

    If you are a representative of a governmental entity and would like to comment on this project, please email us.

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