SKETCH: BHS Driveway Proposal

The Beachwood City Schools reviewed sketches, including the one attached to this story, for a proposed revamped Richmond Road entrance to at Monday's meeting.

This PDF has some features the Board preferred, and some features that they asked to be changed. We've organized the features below.

The driveway has an "S" curve. Superintendent Rich Markwardt said that this is intended to leave green space on either side of the driveway where it meets Richmond Road, but without changing the driveway's point of entry to the parking lot. If the point of entry to the lot changes, the lot will have to be reconfigured to match.

The driveway begins at two lanes wide in the parking lot, but widens to three as it approaches Richmond Road. Members of the Board wanted the third lane of traffic to be longer, so they asked to see a drawing with a straight driveway running north of the driveway's current location, as well as an "S" driveway whose curves are less sharp, allowing for a longer third lane.

The driveway has a traffic island where it meets Richmond Road. Members of the Board were given a choice: should the island be 29 or 45 feet from the Richmond Road intersection? They agreed to 45 feet to ensure that busses could make a right-hand turn without hitting the island. (See the yellow rectangle in the drawing - the bus - and the blue and pink lines - the path of its wheel and front left bumper, respectively.)

The lanes are 15 feet wide - 2 feet wider than regulation - to leave extra space for busses.

The north lot has no retaining pond. This is another option given to the Board - they decided against a retaining pond for safety reasons.

Click to download the full PDF presentation - with four options - that Suhail & Suhail, Inc. made to the School Board Monday.

What do you think of the proposal? Tell us in the comments!