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State standards trump city on bike lanes
(by Mike Klimko - November 12, 2008)
State standards trump city on bike lanes
By MIKE KLIMKO
Control of the traffic lanes at the intersection at Pettibone and SOM Center (Route 91) roads in Solon appeared to be out of reach this week for city officials.
The city has little say on bike lanes on Pettibone Road and over the use of left-turn lanes onto SOM Center Road, city Traffic Engineer Kevin Westbrooks said. Design of the intersection as part of the upcoming Pettibone Road improvements project falls under Ohio Department of Transportation standards, he said.
A plan for the placement of the eastbound bike path on Pettibone Road, between a through lane and a lane restricted to right turns, follows a national standard, city Engineer John J. Busch said.
The location of the bike path would turn the intersection into a potential site for a fatality, Police Chief Wayne E. Godzich said when the plan was presented last month to the committee.
Solon is bound to the design of the intersection as part of the agreement with state officials over the federally funded project, Mr. Busch said. Solon is to receive about $2 million in federal funds.
Due to the lack of municipal standards for the design of bike lanes, he said, the city must follow American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards.
Vehicles planning to use the right-turn lane at the intersection would be required to yield to bicycles switching from the bike lane along the curb to the through bike lane, according to several traffic models.
Traffic warning signs placed near the location of the lane change would alert motorists to the switch in the traffic pattern, Mr. Westbrooks said.
Similar traffic layouts in the area include the Detroit-Superior Bridge in Cleveland and at Andrews and Munson roads in Mentor-on-the-Lake, he said.
"I spoke with the police chief in Mentor-on-the-Lake," Mr. Westbrooks said. "And he indicated that they have not had any problems with the bike lane at this location. He said that they looked into other options but could not find a better solution."
The arrangement of the lanes on Pettibone Road raised concerns for Ward 1 Councilwoman Susan A. Drucker, who met with Mr. Busch and Mr. Westbrooks.
"Her concern is the lack of left-turn lanes on Pettibone Road and the driving issues that it causes," Mr. Westbrooks said. "Mr. Busch and I explained the reasoning behind the lane arrangement," he said.
"Mr. Busch requested that I take a look at the intersection to see if it is at all possible to make any kind of change to help lessen this problem while still keeping the work within the right of way."
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