[ back ]
Metroparks chips in for crossing project
(by Sue Reid - April 18, 2012)
Metroparks chips in for crossing project
By SUE REID
The Cleveland Metroparks will support a project associated with the horse crossing at SOM Center Road (Route 91) and Hawthorn Parkway in Solon and will contribute up to $20,000 toward the cost of improvements there.
"It was good news," Solon's assistant city engineer, Keri J. Welch, told City Council's safety and public properties committee last week.
Ms. Welch reported on the meeting she and city Engineer John J. Busch had with Richard J. Kerber, director of planning, design and natural resources for the Cleveland Metroparks.
In a letter to Mr. Busch dated April 4, Mr. Kerber said, "The Cleveland Metroparks supports the goal of the project to create a safer environment for trail users to cross SOM Center Road."
The equestrian trail, as well as a pedestrian trail for walkers, joggers and bikers, through the park district's South Chagrin Reservation crosses the state highway at a point where sight distances have raised concerns about safety.
City officials contacted the park district several months ago, asking it to split the cost of providing a button-activated flashing light usable by pedestrians and horse riders. The estimated cost of the project, including design and construction, is $54,000.
Mr. Kerber asked that the city keep in mind two factors. "Cleveland Metroparks is willing to reroute the paved all-purpose trail to cross Hawthorn Parkway west of the intersection and then combine the bridle trail and all purpose trail into a single crossing of SOM Center Road," he said. "This should reduce the hardware requirements for a signal system."
Also, the park district asked that the city consider a mast arm with lights mounted above the roadway which would be user actuated.
"Cleveland Metroparks has installed a similar system at a trail crossing on Canal Road near Warner Road," Mr. Kerber said of Canal Park in Valley View.
He said the Metroparks is willing to contribute to the project by relocating the all-purpose trail at its expense and contributing up to $20,000 toward the cost of the signal system.
Ms. Welch noted that the original cost estimate for the project did not include the mast arm.
The committee referred that matter back to the city's traffic engineer to come up with a cost.
"I think this is really good news," Councilman Richard A. Bell said.
"It took a while, but it came through," Councilman Edward H. Kraus said. "We are eventually on our way."
For years, horse riders have raised issues regarding the sight distance with vehicles on SOM Center Road approaching the crossing at Hawthorn Parkway. However, a recent traffic study showed that the intersection does not warrant a traffic signal.
Solon resident and horse rider Tess McCarihan, who was in attendance at the meeting, said improvements at the crossing for horse riders and pedestrians have been a "long time coming."
"We are very pleased that the Metroparks concurred this is a safety issue," she said.
[ back ]
