Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Pedestrian Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
University Heights asks county to include HAWK pedestrian signals in Warrensville Center resurfacing
Summary
City council voted to request Cuyahoga County include two HAWK pedestrian signals in an upcoming Warrensville Center Road resurfacing project; a state/regional safety grant could cover the estimated $250,000 cost.
University Heights City Council voted April 7 to ask Cuyahoga County to proceed with resurfacing Warrensville Center Road and to include two HAWK pedestrian signals at Hillbrook and Traymore roads.
The resolution directs the county to design and bid the signals as part of the resurfacing project and states the city will pay 100% of preliminary design, engineering, construction and construction supervision for the HAWK signals. City staff told council the two signals are currently estimated at $250,000 total—about $125,000 each—and that the city has been awarded a NOACA safety grant of $251,000 that would cover the work if bids come in within that amount.
Michael Maliscus, a resident of University Boulevard, urged the council during public comment to prioritize pedestrian safety on Warrensville Center. “I just wanted to speak this evening in support of the resurfacing of Warrensville Center Road,” he said, urging the council to pair resurfacing with traffic-calming measures and narrower lanes to reduce vehicle speeds and discourage mid-block crossing.
City staff explained the HAWK signals are being added at the county’s request so they will be included in the final project plans and go to bid as part of the resurfacing contract. A city official said the county-managed project will move forward jointly with South Euclid; the HAWK signals were not in the county scope until the city asked that they be included.
Council discussion touched on placement and prior experience with mid-block crossings. One council member noted mid-block crossings installed previously under other projects had low use and encouraged designers to prefer corner crossings when possible. City staff said the county’s current designs contemplate moving crossings back to corners where appropriate and that Hillbrook and Traymore were selected for study as intersections needing improved pedestrian controls.
Council moved and approved the resolution by roll call. If final bid prices exceed the NOACA grant, the city would be responsible for the difference; staff said the grant would cover the current estimate if costs remain within the quoted amount.
The resolution instructs staff to work with the county on final design and to report back to council if the signal construction exceeds the grant amount or if design changes are recommended.
