The NOACA Governing Board approved the following project as a candidate to be amended to the NOACA Transportation Plan by adopting Resolution No. 2005-012 and as a proposed amendment to the TIP by adopting Resolution 2005-013 on March 11, 2005.

Title: Resurfacing West Ridge Road in Carlisle, Amherst & Elyria Townships
Sponsor:  Lorain County Engineer
Estimated Total Cost: $936,600
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.

Current Conditions: West Ridge Road is functionally classified as an urban collector. West Ridge Road (CR-53) is a two-lane road with lanes eleven feet (11’) wide; graded shoulders six feet (6’) wide, four feet (4’) paved. The width of the existing right-of-way (RW) is sixty feet (60’). The average daily traffic (ADT) on West Ridge Road is 4,500 vehicles per day with one percent (1%) trucks (2001 count). The posted speed limit is 45 to 50 miles per hour.

Proposed Project: This project involves planing and resurfacing approximately 1 mile of West Ridge Road, from Russia Road (CR-57) to Albrecht Road (CR-112) in Carlisle Township and 3.2 miles, from the Elyria north corporation line (NCL) to Middle Ridge Road (CR-32) in Amherst Township and Elyria Township (4.2 miles in total length). The existing intermediate and surface course will be replaced. The total construction cost is estimated to be $936,600. Eighty percent of the construction (C) cost ($749,280) 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 ($187,320). Construction is estimated to occur in SFY 2008.

Staff Comment (Summary):

• This project promotes NOACA’s Framework For Action 2025 Plan Goal 3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System).
• This project is in keeping with Lorain County Engineers’ Annual Highway Condition Report, March 25, 2003
• Project includes shoulders four feet wide, which will accommodate bicyclists well.
• The pavement condition rating (PCR) is 71 (fair).
• Recommend project with the use of best management practices at stream crossings.
• Advance to committee and public review in order to obtain comments with the understanding that the sponsor will make a good-faith effort to address questions and comments.