The widening of Route 82 is again at the forefront. City administrators recently reported that the city has been awarded a grant that would be put toward the funding of Phase II of the project.
The overall aim of the Rt. 82 Widening Project converts Royalton Road, which runs east/west through North Royalton, from a two lane road to a three lane road, with 6 foot sidewalks and 7 foot tree lawns on each side. The Royalton Road project also includes widening intersections, traffic light improvement, installation of storm sewers, culvert improvement/replacement, sanitary improvement and storm water detention basin construction.
The first phase of the widening project was completed in 2019, which spanned the area between West 130th Street and York Road. The subsequent sections of Rt. 82 will then be widened, between York and Ridge Roads, and Ridge Road to the North Royalton eastern border with Broadview Heights. Phase I, the West 130th to York Road portion of the Royalton Road project was sponsored by Cuyahoga County and was estimated at $14.5 million for construction and construction administration costs.
The city will receive a $4 million grant through the federal appropriation process that will go towards the funding of Phase II of the Royalton Road Reconstruction Project. The grant is one of the largest federal appropriations ever made in Ohio, according to city officials. “The award is part of the Transportation and Housing Urban Development and related Agencies Appropriation Bill that was passed by Congress and signed by the President on February 3.”
Congressman Max Miller (OH-7) is the Appropriations U.S. House of Representative Sponsor.
“I am appreciative of U. S. Rep. Max Miller as the original sponsor of the appropriation, as well as U.S. Senators Moreno and Husted, for their support of this award. Route 82 serves as the main thoroughfare of our town center. In addition, Route 82 is our main artery providing access to I-71 and I-77. The project, when completed, will improve safety and enhance the regional corridor to the benefit of all our residents and businesses,” Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz said. “The appropriation will help to support Phase II of the Royalton Road (SR. 82) Widening Project. This project consists of pavement replacement, as well as new sidewalks, curbs and ramps along Royalton Road (SR. 82), beginning at York Road and concluding at Ridge Road (SR3). The project will also include traffic signals at the York Road, Bennett Road and Ridge Road intersections. The main benefit of the project is substantial safety measures.”
“I’m glad to have secured this funding, so the City of North Royalton can complete the vital reconstruction of this major thoroughfare to significantly improve traffic flow and support economic development,” said Congressman Miller. “I will continue advocating to bring taxpayer money back to meet real needs in our communities.”
The estimated cost of the project is approximately $15-19 million, according to Economic Development Director Tom Jordan. He noted that it would have taken about $45 million to complete the entire stretch of Route 82 from border to border. “We were never going to get the $45 million, so we broke it down into three projects.” This first $4 million will start the project, with the design. Typically, these projects are an 80-20 match, with the federal government paying the 80% and local governments funding the 20%. “The full widening is in the plan, as managed by NOACA. Eventually, it will be funded. The appropriations kick start the design efforts and move it up the project list that is out there. There are a lot of projects on the NOACA road improvement plan. This speeds it up,” said Jordan. “We’ll be contacted by other federal agencies to handle these appropriations and let us know what they would like us to do. I think what will happen is to go over the scope of the project, go over traffic counts and the usage in this section, which is mostly residential, and then design the road around it. I anticipate a group of studies will have to be performed.”
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
