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Challenge is in scope for busy intersection
(by Sue Reid - March 14, 2012)
Challenge is in scope for busy intersection
By SUE REID
Improvements may be on the horizon for one of the Solon's busiest intersections -- SOM Center (Route 91) and Aurora (Route 43) roads.
City Council's public works committee approved preparing legislation last week authorizing the engineering department to apply for Ohio Department of Transportation safety funding for improvements there.
City Engineer John J. Busch said the "challenging project" may involve the widening of the east side of SOM Center Road.
The engineer's estimate for the project, including engineering and design, right-of-way acquisition and actual construction is about $3 million.
Mr. Busch explained that, in July 2007, ODOT presented the city with a safety engineering study of the intersection done by HNTB, a professional engineering company. The recommendations included short-, medium- and long-term solutions.
The city has addressed the short- and medium-term solutions, Mr. Busch said, and now is looking at long-term options. They include eliminating the split phasing of the northbound and southbound left-turn lanes on SOM Center Road.
The intersection is not wide enough to allow both left turns northbound and southbound to operate in the same phase, Mr. Busch said. The primary recommendation is to widen the road to eliminate that split phasing, he said.
He said it makes sense to do the widening on one side, rather than disrupt both sides of the road.
Mr. Busch said the elimination of the split phasing would improve the operation of the entire intersection. The project is a challenge by virtue of it being one of the busiest intersections in the city, he said.
A short-term recommendation already addressed was the problematic gas station drive on the south leg of SOM Center Road, which has been restricted to right turns in and out only, he said. "With the reconfiguring of the gas station on the southeast corner of the intersection, two access points nearest the intersection were eliminated, thus minimizing problematic access points at that location."
The medium-term recommendation involved optimizing the signal timing at the intersection, Mr. Busch said.
Councilman William D. Mooney asked if the ODOT safety funds apply to a study or actual construction.
Mr. Busch said they are at least for construction.
Mr. Mooney asked about the city's obligation if officials decide they don't want to do the project.
Mr. Busch said it is his understanding that the city would not be tied to the project, and it would be a matter returning the money.
If the city is successful in obtaining the funding and decides to take on the project, Mr. Busch said, the start date would depend on which fiscal year the money falls into. Another big issue, he said, is the time frame necessary to complete the right-of-way acquisition.
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