Administrators are looking at the big picture when it comes to connectivity throughout the city of North Ridgeville and making plans to ensure the area is user friendly for bikes, pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Here are some upcoming projects that are meant to address both cars and foot traffic.
Active Transportation Plan
A citywide master plan update in the spring revealed a desire within the community for more connectivity when it comes to non-motorized travel.
“We’re really looking at places where there might be deficiencies in our sidewalk network or places where it would make sense to install trails to connect neighborhoods or connect people with destinations,” says North Ridgeville Planning Director Kim Lieber.
The Active Transportation Plan aims to bridge the gap between neighborhoods for routes commonly traveled to schools and shopping centers, Lieber says. The city is partnering with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency on the endeavor and sought public input via a survey sent to residents in the spring and two public input meetings held over the summer. The information-gathering portion of the project will be completed this fall.
The intent is to use the information from the Active Transportation Plan in tandem with the Safe Routes to School Program to pursue funding from a variety of county, state and federal resources to improve existing trails and sidewalks or build additional segments at low or no cost to taxpayers, Lieber notes.
Mayor Kevin Corcoran says the intent of the plan is to take a systematic approach to making a long-term plan that can be carried out by future generations. He adds the biggest focal points are on increasing safety, encouraging active lifestyles and making school routes safer.
“We’re trying to present a more connected community, so people will be encouraged to be more active,” he explains. “We know that exercise is important for our health. We hope improved connectivity will make people’s outdoor time more enjoyable, which may lead to better health outcomes.”
Stoney Ridge Road, Mills Road and Avalon Drive Roundabout
Dubbed the “peanut roundabout” due to its shape, the double roundabout at the intersection of Stoney Ridge Road, Mills Road and Avalon Drive is one of only two of its kind in Ohio. Construction began this fall and will impact traffic in the area with a 90-day road closure, says City Engineer Christina Eavenson.
Avon Belden Road and Chestnut Ridge Road Roundabout
Initially scheduled to undergo construction in the spring, a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Avon Belden Road and Chestnut Ridge Road is on hold while utility issues are addressed, Eavenson says.
The city and the Ohio Department of Transportation are partnering on the project, which is expected to include improvements to lighting, storm sewers, signage and pavement markings.
Eavenson adds that a third roundabout project at Sugar Ridge and Bender roads is in the preliminary stages.
