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Repair, Resurface and Reconstruct West River Road in Elyria

 

On March 10, 2006, the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project:
Resolution No. 2006-009 Project Planning Review
Resolution No. 2006-010 Plan Amendment

Title:  Repair, Resurface and Reconstruct West River Road in Elyria
Sponsor: City of Elyria
Estimated Total Cost: $786,843
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA

 History/Background: On October 17, 2005, the City of Elyria approved Ordinance No. 2005-133, authorizing the Mayor to submit an application to NOACA for federal-aid highway funds for West River Road and East River Road.

Current Conditions:  West River Road is functionally classified as an urban collector. West River Road, from SR-57 (John F. Kennedy Memorial Parkway) to Griswold Road - approximately 1.28 miles) - is a concrete, 4 -lane facility (2 lanes in each direction) with left-turn lanes, curbs and sidewalks 4 feet wide. West River Road, from Griswold Road to SR-254 (North Ridge Road), north of the Elyria north corporation line (NCL) - approximately 1.27 miles – is an asphalt, 2-lane facility with no curbs or sidewalks. The posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour (mph). The average daily traffic (ADT) varies between 9,650 and 21,250 vehicles per day (Lorain County Highway Traffic Counts, prepared by NOACA). The concrete pavement (SR-57 to Griswold Road), due to heavy traffic has deteriorated (open joints, cracked pavement) and is in need of repair. The asphalt portion (Griswold Road to SR-254) has developed alligator cracks, ruts and large potholes.

Proposed Project:  The proposed project involves repair, resurfacing and reconstruction of approximately 2.54 miles of West River Road, from SR-57 to the Elyria NCL (south of SR-254), in the City of Elyria. The work will involve replacing portions of the existing concrete pavement, curbs and gutters, removing existing asphalt, resurfacing and widening resurfacing, repairing and reconstructing a culvert under the road, repairing and/or replacing existing sidewalks as needed. The asphalt portion also includes widening the shoulders by two feet. The project also includes the proposed installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of East River Road and Griswold Road. The proposed project’s total construction cost is estimated at $786,843. Eighty percent ($629,474) of the construction (C) cost can be funded with NOACA attributable Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. The sponsor will provide the twenty percent ($157,369) non-federal share.

Staff Comment (Summary):
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team:
  • The Lorain County Engineer is the sponsor of a proposed project on Griswold Road (PID No. 79087), from Murray Ridge Road to West River Road that it estimates can be awarded in calendar year 2010.
  • The City of Elyria is the sponsor of a proposed project on US-20/SR-57/SR-113 (PID No. 21936), from Chestnut Ridge Road to SR-57 that it estimates can be awarded in calendar year 2006.
  • Recommend this project go to the Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS) and Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) for consideration.

    • Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team:
  • The segment of this project that starts just north of SR-57 to just north of Griswold has mostly 4 travel lanes and a center turning lanes. The typical pavement width is 64’. FHWA guidelines call for 15’ wide curb lanes for experienced riders on a road with the ADT, speed, and amount of truck traffic this road has. Fifteen-foot outside lanes could be provided that would leave enough room for three 11.3’ (or some other configuration) lanes. For the portion of the project north of Griswold to the north city line, the road changes from 5 lanes to 2 lanes, with a substantial decrease in ADT. The sponsor proposes to add a 2’ paved shoulder, which will be an improvement, but a 3’ shoulder would be much better for cyclists, greatly increasing their safety. It is very important that this road provide safe access for cyclists because there is little north-south access in this area for cyclists. To the west, cyclists are not permitted to use SR-57 (and it’s very dangerous anyway). To the east, Ford provides north-south access for part of this stretch, but is for experts only and Gulf Road is not suitable for cyclists.
  • West River Rd. has PCR (pavement condition rating) of 81(good) for 1.28 miles and PCR of 64 (fair) for other 1.21 miles
    • .
  • Has transit service from Lorain County Transit routes 2, 21, 51 and 52.
  • Move for committee and public review with consideration of comments.


    • Committee Review:
    Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC)
    The BAC recommends 4’ paved shoulders for the 2-lane section and 10’asphalt multipurpose paths instead of sidewalks for the 4-lane section.

    Transportation Water Quality Council (TransWac):
  • Use water quality best management practices (BMPs) during and post-construction (e.g. use three-side culverts that don’t inhibit aquatic life movement, and stabilize outfalls, if possible).
    • Transit Council:
    The design guidelines on Page 17 of the Regional Transportation Investment Policy should be incorporated into the design of this project. These guidelines are:
    • For a roadway project, if a pavement on a bus route is less than 9 inches concrete, a 40 foot by 9 inch concrete bus pad should be installed at each bus stop.
    • Sidewalks (pedestrian access) should be added to any roadway project within the urbanized area where none exist now. Existing and new sidewalks should be extended to the curb at bus stops. This will help facilitate pedestrian and ADA access.
    • Curb (inner) radius should be no less than 30 feet to facilitate a standard 40 foot transit bus.
    • Intersection geometries shall recognize that the maximum body overhang (outer radius) of a 40 foot bus is 55 feet.
    • Pure asphalt pavement is discouraged at intersections where bus traffic is prevalent.
    Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS):
  • An RTIS member suggested the sponsor consider extending the northern termini of the project to SR-254 (North Ridge Road).

    Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC):
  • No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan.
    • Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC):
    If you are a representative of a governmental entity and would like to comment on this project, please e-mail 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.