The City is moving closer to implementing changes in the Warrensville/Van Aken area called for in the 2008 Warrensville/Van Aken Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan.
Over 140 residents and property owners attended a public meeting on January 21 at which project consultants presented a progress update for the road and transit components of the project. The three major efforts to move the Warrensville/Van Aken project forward are summarized below.
1. Road Engineering & Reconfiguration
The City has obtained the $11.5 million required to design and construct improvements to the intersection. The six-leg intersection will be reconfigured to create a standard four-way intersection. Specific intersection and road realignment configurations are being studied, and environmental work has begun.
Project engineers proposed road changes in three locations and several options were presented at the meeting:
- Farnsleigh Road will be straightened slightly to meet Chagrin Boulevard in a “T” intersection
- Van Aken Boulevard will be closed between Farnsleigh and Chagrin
- Northfield Road will be closed at the Warrensville/Chagrin intersection; two options for realignment include (1) straightening Northfield to intersect with Chagrin Boulevard and (2) relocating Northfield to intersect with Warrensville Center Road near Norwood Road (three variations are being considered)
Project engineers will analyze potential impacts of each road reconfiguration option and the public comments to determine a preferred alternative. This preferred road reconfiguration alternative will be presented at a public meeting later this year. Detailed design is expected to be completed in 2011 and construction is scheduled to begin in 2012.
2. RTA Blue Line Track Extension Alternatives Analysis
RTA is seeking funding for the rapid transit track extension from federal, state and government sources. As part of the funding application process, RTA is analyzing the alternatives and impacts for extending the Blue Line rapid transit tracks through the Warrensville/Van Aken intersection and to various endpoints including I-480 and I-271. If funding is acquired for this phase, design is anticipated to be complete in 2012-2013 and construction to begin in 2014. Additional information is available on the RTA website.
3. Intermodal Transit Station
RTA and the City are seeking funding for the intermodal transit station from federal, state and government sources. A consultant team is working with RTA and the City to study alternatives for the intermodal transit station building(s) and passenger waiting environment, bus/rail passenger transfers, bus access routes, pedestrian/bike connections and parking.
Project consultants presented a conceptual station design that includes:
- Space for 8 buses
- Adjacent bus-to-train transfer area
- Interior and covered exterior waiting areas
- Dedicated parking lot and kiss & ride drop-off areas
- Wide pedestrian paths for pedestrians and bicyclists; covered bicycle parking
If funding is acquired for this phase, it is anticipated that design will be complete in 2012-2013 and construction will begin in 2014.
Funding Summary
$11.5 million has been committed for the road reconfiguration project:
- $4.0M—ODOT Safety Grant (with Cuyahoga County Engineer)
- $4.2M—NOACA Transportation Improvement Program
- $2.3M—City of Shaker Heights
- $0.5M—Cuyahoga County Engineer
- $0.5M—2010 Federal Omnibus Appropriations Act
Most of the estimated $50 million required to extend the Blue Line rapid transit tracks and build a new intermodal transit station are being sought. RTA has committed $1.1 million for studies required to apply for federal funds. Potential funding sources include the 2009 Transportation Bill, the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) Small Starts Program and NOACA.
The Warrensville/Van Aken Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan implements the call to revitalize the district that was explored in the Strategic Investment Plan (2000). The SIP recommended reconstructing the Warrensville/Van Aken/Chagrin intersection, improving transit connections and transfer points, redeveloping existing strip shopping centers into a mixed use downtown, and improving pedestrian connections between the station and surrounding areas.
The Warrensville/Van Aken study area encompasses land in all quadrants of the Warrensville Center Road/Van Aken Boulevard/Chagrin Boulevard intersection. The area within a 1/2 mile radius around the intersection is included in the study area.
