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Construction-zone traffic backups anticipated
(by Sue Reid - September 16, 2009)
Construction-zone traffic backups anticipated
By SUE REID
A concern regarding traffic congestion at the intersection of SOM Center (Route 91) during the upcoming Bainbridge Road reconstruction project was discussed by City Council's safety and public properties committee last week.
The concern raised by Bainbridge Road resident John Nolan dealt specifically with the operation of the westbound approach to the intersection. His concern was that a single lane of traffic from Bainbridge Road will cause significant backups during the construction.
Traffic Engineer Kevin Westbrooks said that, during any project, delays in the construction zone have to be expected. "Typically, there will be some restriction of traffic during a construction project," he said.
Mr. Westbrooks said that recent conversations concerning the Bainbridge Road project have focused on the two major phases of construction, west of Liberty Road and east of Liberty Road. What has been somewhat overlooked, he said, is the first phase of the construction, which will be from City Hall to SOM Center Road.
That short section of roadway will be constructed first in order to provide multiple lanes approaching SOM Center Road for the other phases of the construction, Mr. Westbrooks said. It will provide a separate left-turn lane on the approach of concern, he said, thus lessening the chance of backups on Bainbridge Road approaching SOM Center Road for the bulk of the project.
Mr. Westbrooks told the committee that the first phase of the project will be much shorter in duration then the other phases. "I'm guessing it will be pretty brief, so they could get to the bulk of the work, which is from City Hall to Liberty Road, fairly quickly," he said.
Public Works Director James S. Stanek said that, based on the scope of work that would need to be completed, that phase would be much shorter than the other two phases. "I don't anticipate that to be a long duration," Mr. Stanek said.
Just how long that phase would be, however, is the type of question that will be answered a a meeting with the Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office and residents along the road at Grantwood Golf Course from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22.
"That is exactly why we are having that meeting," Mr. Stanek said, "so that those types of questions can be asked and answered."
Councilman Edward H. Kraus also asked whether a temporary road to Liberty Road will be constructed prior to the construction of the first phase or done simultaneously.
Mr. Stanek said that is also a question for the county, but that most likely it will be done simultaneously. "They need to take as much advantage of the weather as they can," he said of the contractor.
Mr. Westbrooks also said of concerns raised about the phase of the project at the east end of the road that a significant culvert must be constructed in this section.
"A single lane, to be shared for both eastbound and westbound traffic, will be controlled by a temporary traffic signal," Mr. Westbrooks said. "Realistically, due to the size and depth of the culvert, there is no other way to perform this work. There will likely be delays through this section."
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