The area around State and Royalton Roads has been a traffic mess, especially over the past few weeks. It started earlier this summer, when the Royalton Road Water Main Replacement Project began. Recent developments of two other projects in the area have upped the traffic ante and have made things more congested. However, there is good news on the horizon.
The three projects that have affected the traffic are the Royalton Road Water main Replacement Project, the Royalton Road Resurfacing Project and the State Road Sidewalk Improvement Project. The good news when it comes to these projects is that in less than a month, not only will the traffic patterns be restored, but the result of an updated water main, a new sidewalk and a nice smooth thoroughfare will be realized.
The Royalton Road Water Main Replacement Project, which is second of a two phase project, replaces about 1,940 linear feet of a 12-inch water main along the north side of Royalton Road between State Road and Prince Charles Drive. Phase 2 of the water line project was scheduled two years ago, but, because of the timing of approval from Cleveland Division of Water, who is funding the project, it was pushed up to last year, then again to this year. The first phase of the project was completed in 2016, which included 3500 feet in length, on the north side of Rt. 82 from Prince Charles Drive, east, to the city’s corporation line.
Phase 2 of the project includes the replacement of the existing water main, values and hydrants, and is being subsidized through the Cleveland Water Department’s Suburban Water Main Renewal Program. Fabrizi Trucking & Paving performed the work. According to City Engineer, Mark Schmitzer, “All that is left is hardscape and landscape finishes. Some of this has to wait until the resurfacing project is done but it should all be done in the next 2 weeks.”
The Royalton Road Resurfacing Project has been broken down in two phases. The first phase of the project covers the stretch from York Road to just east of Ridge Road. The second phase will cover the stretch from the area just east of Ridge Road, from the end of Phase 1, to the North Royalton/Broadview Heights corporation line. According to city officials, “the project is a mill and fill pavement replacement, with catch basin adjustments and curb replacements along the project limits.” Repairs to pavement were done last week. “The next course of asphalt will be placed this week,” said Schmitzer “Next week will be adjusting manholes in pavement, and the following week will be the final surface course and striping.” City officials expect that this project will be completed by November 15.
The State Road Sidewalk Improvement Project spans the area near City Hall Drive, north to Trumpeter Drive, connecting Memorial Park, north, to Rt. 82. “This project is a sidewalk improvement project along the west side of State Road,” according to city officials. “ODOT will be managing this improvement, which will enclose the storm ditches along the project limits with storm sewers and catch basins, and installation of a 5-foot wide sidewalk.” At the time of this writing, Schmitzer said that the completion of this project is expected by October 25.
City officials continue to ask that motorists be patient and use caution in the area . Any and all concerns should be directed to the Engineering Department at (440) 582-3001.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer