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Hudson leaders back ODOT-funded striping plan for SR-303 safety upgrades
Summary
City staff described an ODOT-funded project to add painted lane configurations, crosswalk and ADA improvements along West Streetsboro Street (State Route 303). Council members pressed for clarity on lane counts and whether the change risks losing state funding; staff said ODOT approved the paint-only approach and the city will bid the project.
Council members discussed planned safety improvements along West Streetsboro Street (State Route 303) and heard that the Ohio Department of Transportation has approved a reduced, paint-only version of a previously proposed curb-and-median project.
The project covers the corridor between Boston Mills Road and Atterbury Boulevard and would replace some planned curb islands with painted lane reconfigurations, add crosswalk adjustments and make small ADA ramp improvements, city staff said.
A city staff member identified as Brad, who presented the plan, said the changes were made after concerns about maintenance of concrete islands and that ODOT signed off on using paint instead. "We're not at risk. They have reduced our funding, but it's now, it's still 80% of the cost of this improvement," Brad said. He said the project will be bid and constructed later this fall and that funding remains in the budget.
Why it matters: The striping is intended to clarify lane use and reduce sideswipe crashes in areas where drivers must currently make last‑second merge decisions. City staff said painted "bump outs" would provide the same footprint as the prior design while minimizing maintenance obligations.
Council members raised questions about how the striping would change traffic flow where the roadway narrows. Council President Foster, Mayor (unnamed) and Councilor Sutton all described daily driving patterns on the corridor and worried that the paint-only approach creates "pinch points" where westbound traffic will be reduced to a single marked lane. Dr. Getz asked whether a full two-lane westbound profile would remain; Brad replied that the full asphalt width remains and that the lane changes are achieved by striping, not by changing curb lines. "There'll be room for 2 cars, a full blown fire truck and a vehicle to get passed," Brad said.
Several council members supported trying the paint approach first before committing to permanent curb islands. Councilor Sutton and others said paint lets the city test traffic effects and reverse the change if needed. Staff also reported the city’s signal designer reviewed the plan and found no conflicts with signal queuing lengths.
Next steps: The item appears on the consent agenda for the May 20 meeting as authorization to advertise for bids and award the contract. Staff said the project will be constructed later this year if bid results are acceptable.
Ending: Council members said they will monitor the results after installation and that paint lets the city adjust the design rapidly if real‑world conditions show safety or traffic flow issues.
