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Resident urges signal at Ridge and Akins; North Royalton moves ahead with traffic studies after bridge work
Summary
After repeated crashes at Ridge and Akins, a resident read an ODOT note saying municipalities may install signals at their own expense; the committee said it will commission traffic counts and a study after State Road bridge work and school traffic return to normal.
A North Royalton resident pressed the city on Sept. 2 for faster action at the intersection of Ridge and Akins, saying repeated crashes have damaged property and that guidance from the Ohio Department of Transportation indicates the city can install a signal at its own cost if it chooses.
"It's closing the barn after the horse is gone," resident Michael Maminskas said, reading an email he said came from ODOT that said municipalities are responsible for traffic control devices on routes in their jurisdiction and may install signals using local funds. He urged the committee not to wait for a fatal crash before acting.
The Streets Committee, led by Chair Joanne Krejci, said it shares safety concerns but will first commission a traffic study timed for when State Road construction finishes and school traffic is back to normal. "We want to do a good study so it's in the plans as soon as that's done," Krejci said. City Engineer Matthew Glass said he will contact the ODOT representative to confirm whether a local-only installation would be permitted and what enforcement or warrant criteria apply, and that traffic counts are necessary to time any signal properly.
Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz said the city is awaiting a proposal from its consultant (GPD) on study costs; once the proposal is received, staff will decide timing and budgeting. The committee also discussed other problem intersections, including Bennet Road at Valley Parkway and York at Valley Parkway, where the mayor said police and Metroparks leadership are coordinating to assess options.
Committee members flagged both funding and timing as constraints. Councilmember John Nickell noted that traffic signals are costly and the city must weigh whether to fund single intersections now or prioritize other road projects. For the Royalwood and Ridge intersection — a separate item discussed later — a 2020 preliminary design estimated about $2 million for a full rebuild, though staff said that figure should be re-evaluated by the new city engineer.
The committee agreed to collect crash and traffic-count data and asked the mayor to follow up with the police chief about the most recent collisions. If the study later shows a signal is warranted or preferred, the city would consider funding and permit options, including local-only installation if confirmed by ODOT.
