Bay Village to apply for Safe Routes funding for three crosswalk upgrades totaling $989,000

Council considered a time-sensitive resolution to submit a Safe Routes to School construction application to the Ohio Department of Transportation. The agenda item was introduced by a staff project manager, John, who said the city received a $50,000 ODOT grant to update its school travel plan and that the final draft has been submitted to ODOT.

John summarized identified projects and a proposed construction budget: "We have received a $50,000 grant from ODOT to contract with Toole to update our school travel plan...Tula has come up with a budget of $989,000 to install 3 crosswalk enhancements with rectangular rapid flashing beacons," he said, and listed the intersection locations under consideration: Walker & Bradley (Bassett & Eddall), Foote, and the high-school exit at Bassett & Eddall. He also said site visits showed middle-school students cutting through the high school property to reach Bassett Road and that curb ramps are proposed to be updated to ADA-compliant standards.

Council members emphasized the application deadline and moved to bring supporting legislation forward so the city can file by March 6. One council member asked about pedestrian recall mode at a signal, and John explained the mode will automatically trigger the pedestrian signal change so children are not left to press a button. The council voted to authorize submission of the application as recorded in the meeting minutes.

The application is competitive; the city will prioritize locations if awarded and noted it may not receive full requested funding. The staff presentation and council action together authorize the administration to submit the March 6 application and pursue construction funding in the event the grant is awarded.