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Beefed-up letter to be sent to ODOT
(by Sue Reid - December 22, 2011)
Beefed-up letter to be sent to ODOT
By SUE REID
A letter is to be sent this week to the Ohio Department of Transportation regarding the new guardrails along the Route 422 freeway -- this time with some stronger language.
That was the request by some members of Solon City Council Monday. Council members met in caucus before their regular meeting to consider the preparation of the letter and whether any modifications should be made to the draft correspndence prepared by the city's traffic engineer.
"The letter should be stronger," Councilman Robert N. Pelunis said during the caucus. "It should state our actual opinion on the guardrails."
A letter drafted by traffic engineer Kevin Westbrooks earlier this month to ODOT drew concern from some members of council that it did not contain strong enough language.
In particular, Councilwoman Toni M. Richmond said the letter did not comport with the motion she introduced in November that council unanimously approved. That motion was for correspondence to be sent to ODOT and the governor's office to either modify the way the guardrails are installed or remove them entirely.
The letter drafted by Mr. Westbrooks asks that the guardrails be reconsidered or re-evaluated by ODOT.
Councilman Richard A. Bell suggested that council go line by line with the draft letter and reach a consensus of what changes should be made.
Mr. Pelunis said that, over the weekend, he witnessed a "huge traffic backup" on Route 422 in icy conditions.
Ms. Richmond said that, in the area where there are no guardrails, a number of cars had spun out in the snow. With more snow coming, it will only get worse, she said, and cause gridlock issues where emergency vehicles would have difficulty getting to the scenes of accidents.
The city originally requested that a three-cable rail system be installed in the highway median to prevent crossover accidents. One such accident on Route 422 in Solon resulted in a fatality in 2004, and another one resulted in injuries in 2010. But after ODOT's review, it was determined to install guardrails instead.
"Did someone agree to do what we have?" Ms. Richmond asked.
Councilman William I. Russo said ODOT officials felt they were well within their rights and the design standards of the state to install the guardrails.
During last January's meeting of City Council's safety and public properties committee, Mr. Westbrooks reported that, due to the topography and width of the median, ODOT approved the guardrail system.
Ms. Richmond asked if ODOT could have moved it over 3 feet farther from the roadway.
Mr. Russo said it could not.
"Give the experts a chance to explain," Councilman William D. Mooney said. "They've been good partners with the city. It's no sense sending them a nasty letter without having them come here."
Council also discussed the portion of the letter in which Mr. Westbrooks states that the city understands that ODOT spent $1 million on the project.
Ms. Richmond said she does not think the cost is really relevant to be included in the letter.
Mr. Pelunis agreed.
Mr. Russo said, if the city asks ODOT to remove the guardrail and it complies, the city will be "exposed."
"Our residents are concerned," Ms. Richmond said of the safety issues surrounding the guardrails.
Councilman Edward H. Kraus said representatives from ODOT will be asked to attend City Council's next meeting in January to answer questions and address concerns.
The letter is to state that, if ODOT cannot attend a meeting, it is requested that the city's public works director and members of council meet with state officials at their office.
"I have concerns with that," Ms. Richmond said, "because there are such divergent views on this issue amongst this body."
Mr. Kraus said all interests will be represented.
Ms. Richmond asked how long the city will give ODOT to respond "before we write a stronger letter."
The hope is that ODOT officials attend the meeting in January, Mr. Kraus said.
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