The start of the widening of the remaining portion of Rt. 82 through North Royalton has finally begun. Phase 1 of the project, from just east of West 130 Street to just east of Abbey Road is currently underway, according to Community Development Director Tom Jordan.
The overall project will convert the current Rt. 82 area from a two lane road to a three lane road, with 6 foot sidewalks and seven-foot tree lawns on each side, as well as two 15-foot lanes and an 11-foot turning lane, completing a span of 78 feet. The lanes will be wider than what is currently there.
Residents and motorists may have seen the recent tree clearing taking place near West 130 Street. Matthew Wahl, Senior Project Manager and Associate Vice President of infrastructure solutions firm HNTB said that in government projects, trees can only be cut from October to April, in order to protect nesting bats.
The project begins near the Walnut Hills Drive/Rt. 82 intersection and continues east to just west of the York Road/Rt. 82 intersection. This is broken down into two sections. The first section starts just east of West 130 Street, near the Spruce Run Apartments, to just past Abbey Road, near the North Royalton Service Center. The second part of the project will begin at the Service Center, east to York Road. That section is expected to take place next year.
Utility and prep work for phase 1 is ahead of schedule, which was originally expected to start of the Fall of 2018. Currently, the location of utilities is taking place in order to relocate them. The construction of this phase is expected to begin this Summer and take about one year to complete. Traffic and driveway entry will be maintained throughout the entire project. Jordan said the contract requires this, but there will be periods where traffic will be reduced to one lane, which are expected to take place during the non-rush hour time frame.
“One of the most frequent questions I’m receiving is regarding the repairs that are being done on the road,” said Jordan. “We had to do them to keep both lanes open. The shoulders of the road were failing and they were dangerous, so we had to do those repairs.” He also has had questions regarding the utility work. Jordan mentioned that once the project is completed, the utilities that are currently above ground will remain so, as well as those below ground. The one change that will be seen is the removal of ditches, as an enclosed storm water system will be installed.
The project is currently out to bid and awaiting response. When the contractor is awarded the contract, a time line will then be formulated. Jordan said at the least, the city will publish an updated construction schedule and road advisories, as the project continues.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer