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Two-way recommendation overrules residents
(by Sue Reid - May 21, 2009)
Two-way recommendation overrules residents
By SUE REID
Solon City Council's safety and public works committee voted 2-1 last week to recommend a two-way temporary road on Bainbridge Road to maintain traffic during the upcoming reconstruction project.
As part of the motion, the speed limit on the temporary road is to not exceed 20 mph, and traffic fines will be doubled. In addition, there will be an emphasis on selective enforcement in the area, the committee said.
Voting in favor of the motion were Councilmen Edward K. Suit and William I. Russo. Opposing it was Councilman Edward H. Kraus, whose Ward 6 includes part of the project. The recommendation will be referred back to the public works committee and to council.
The recommendation followed months of discussion on the issue and pleas by residents to maintain just one-way traffic, as it has been done with the Pettione Road project. Residents cited safety concerns with a two-way road and the proximity of the temporary road to their homes.
The safety committee's vote followed recommendations by the city administration, safety forces, school system and U.S. Postal Service that traffic be maintained two ways.
"Everyone in a position of expertise recommends a two-way road," Mr. Suit said. "Anything else would be reckless."
Prior to the vote, Bainbridge Road resident Alyssa Keeny asked whether the safety issues requiring two-way traffic to be maintained is "the new order of business in Solon." She asked if it sets a precedent for other construction projects. "Are we going to require the building of temporary two-way roads during all construction projects?" she asked.
Mr. Suit said that would depend on whether the city receives state or federal funding for a project. "You have to take each project on its own," he said. Projects that receive state or federal funds have to comply with Ohio Department of Transportation or federal standards, he said.
Bainbridge Road resident Carol Phillips asked, "Did ODOT specifically say they wanted a temporary road in place to manage traffic?"
Mr. Suit said ODOT did.
Ms. Phillips said this is the first time she has heard of that. "How are we not going to have accidents on the street?" she asked. "How are we going to get in and out of our driveways?"
"It is a construction zone," Public Works Director James S. Stanek said. "You are going to have to be careful getting in and out. Nobody is suggesting otherwise.
"Anytime we do construction, residents will be inconvenienced," Mr. Russo said. "We cannot avoid that. I do empathize with people on Bainbridge Road. It will not be pleasant during this time."
Ms. Phillips asked, "If we were not receiving federal funds, would we not be doing a temporary road?"
Mr. Suit said he does not have the information for that answer. "But the fact is, we are getting stimulus funding," he said.
Bainbridge Road resident Mel McNamara said it baffles her that the school system would support two-way traffic. "We will decrease the safety of residents for a road that will not be used," she said. In addition, a temporary road will add to the cost and length of the project, she said.
"You talk about safety of all the residents, and this is a huge safety issue for residents on Bainbridge Road who will have a temporary road on their private property taken by eminent domain," Ms. McNamara said.
For safety reasons, eminent domain is a "necessary evil" for many road projects, Mr. Suit said.
He said there are homes in Solon that are closer to the street than the temporary road will be to homes along Bainbridge Road.
Ms. McNamara said, if safety is the main issue, then a two-way road should be the case for all future projects.
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