Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) accepts applications twice a year to fund projects using Highway Safety Program funds. The Safety Program Committee is accepting a second round of applications until April 30, 2018. These grants require a 10% local match.
The Cleveland Avenue corridor between 5th Avenue and Lehner Road has a significant number of pedestrian and bicyclist involved crashes. The Department of Public Service is preparing an application that seeks funds for (1) safety infrastructure improvements on Cleveland Avenue from approximately 5th Avenue to Lehner Road, and (2) an educational safety campaign for the corridor.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to submit applications and to execute project agreements for approved projects, accept and expend grant funds, and issue refunds if necessary after final accounting is performed. Matching funds will be in the form of design contracts, right of way acquisition, and/or construction contracts that will be submitted for Council's approval.
2. EXPECTED PROJECTS
The Department of Public Service plans to submit applications for the following project:
Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Cleveland Avenue, from 5th Avenue to Lehner Road. There have been a significant number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes in this corridor between 2012 and 2018. There have been at least 92 pedestrian crashes and 32 bicycle crashes. Proposed countermeasures at the intersection would include (1) installing Type II Crosswalks and Enhanced Signing, and (2) installing two Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Signals. Funding would also be sought for a public safety campaign that has two primary purposes: (a) educate pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists of the specific safety countermeasures being installed in the project corridor; and (b) improve general pedestrian and bicycle safety and awareness in the project corridor. Total project costs are currently estimated at $2...
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