A Look Back: Talking SR 91 Construction in a Roundabout Way

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More than 100 people came to Oct. 31 to learn more about the widening and improvement project coming to State Route 91. Although there was no formal presentation, the general feeling was that the road needs improvement, but not the kind engineers are proposing.

The project looks to improve SR 91 starting 200 feet south of Post Road to the northern corporation line at Solon by widening, improving drainage, upgrading existing traffic signals, constructing two roundabouts and constructing new sidewalks along both sides of the roadway, according to a press release from the Department of Engineering. Officials expect to begin construction in 2014.

The project mostly takes place in Seth Rodin's ward. He said anything will help ease traffic in the area, but he was unaware of how big the roundabout at Meadowood Boulevard would be. He got his first look at the renderings Thursday night.

"I thought this would be a smaller roundabout," Rodin said. "I've gotten lots of complaints about this area, and I've gotten lots of complaints about what's to come."

Dwayne Smith and his wife Beth live on SR 91 and agree that the road needs widened, but not with the roundabouts.

"I'm concerned about safety," Dwayne said. "I don't know that people understand roundabouts. It's a busy intersection and I think they would create more of a hazard."

He added that he drives 91 daily, and a fair number of semi trucks do too. There's also the possibility that the city may have to cut into his property to complete the project, which is why he attended the meeting.

One resident, who wished to remain nameless, said drivers use the roundabout at Liberty Road like a "sports event."

"I avoid that area at certain times of day," he said. " I disagree with having two lanes in there. What do you do if there's an accident or if emergency vehicles come through there, where do you go?"

Richard Purdy was considering starting a petition so the city is forced to put the issue on the ballot.

"Why can't we have it three lanes all the way down?" he questioned.

Feedback wasn't all negative, though. Margie Gantous, an Ethans Green resident, said she liked the project.

"Coming home from Solon is a big backup," Gantous said. "It's a long haul especially if I have to be here for a meeting. I think it will help and I agree with the roundabouts."

Because of the varied reactions to the project, and the meeting, the mayor and city council members said at a caucus meeting Dec. 12, they thought it would be best to have another public meeting, with a more formal presentation on the plans, tentitavely planned for February.

The GPD Group, the engineering firm working on the project, gave a formal presentation during a caucus meeting, which was open to the public, bringing council members up to speed on the project and the comments from the Oct. 20 meeting.

Out of 100 comments given at the Oct. 20 meeting, GDP said 11 were in favor of the project, eight were against, and 72 agreed with the road widening but not the roundabouts. Many of the residents were concerned with pedestrian safety.

"Roundabouts are well known for their safety," said Ed Franks, a GDP representative. Franks said there are 78 percent less crash related injuries on roundabouts than with typical intersections because there are fewer opportunities, cars move in the same direction, and they have slower speeds.

Ward 2 Councilman Bob McDermott said he was curious to see if there was a significant increase fender-benders on roundabouts.

"Any intersection is going to have accidents, no matter what we build," Franks said.

Members of council in attendance said they weren't opposed to the project, but some of their residents don't like the idea.

Moving forward

City Engineer Amy Mohr said next week she will be sending the city's responses to the public comments from Oct. 20 to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for its approval. Once approved by ODOT, the answers to residents' questions will be published on the city's website, in , and other places by Jan. 4, as required by law.

Mohr said she won't go ahead with the plans until after the public meeting in February. However, if it is decided to change the plans, the city will have to go back to make those changes, costing the city money and moving back the project further.

"You basically put the project about a year behind, by the time you redo the documents, redo the meeting, and have more comments," Mohr said.

The project will also consist of the following changes:

• Widen the roadway to three lanes to add a two-way left turn lane from Post Road to south of Glenwood Drive. Each lane is proposed to be 12 feet wide with a total roadway width of 36 feet (plus 2 inch curb and gutter each side).

• Widen the roadway from south of Glenwood Drive to the City of Solon to four lanes to meet the existing four lane section at the City of Solon. Each lane is proposed to be 12 inches wide with a total roadway width of 48 feet (plus 2 inch curb & gutter each side).

• Construct a modern roundabout at the intersection of Darrow Road and Glenwood Drive.

• Construct a modern roundabout at the intersection of Darrow Road and Ethans Drive/Meadowood Blvd.

• Construct four-foot sidewalks on both sides of SR 91 from Post Road to Solon with crosswalks curb ramps at intersections.

• Upgrade the existing traffic signal at the Post Road intersection.

• Reconstruct the existing/widened pavement and apply new pavement markings.

• Improve the sight distance by lowering the roadway grade north of Glenwood.

• Improve roadway drainage by constructing new pavement with curbs, catch basins, a new storm sewer system, and new post construction storm water treatment measures.

Read all stories about the SR 91 construction: