Cleveland-Parma Transit Corridor

[KJP]

I was at last night's public meeting and public transportation is the primary thrust of the study. But the improvements to public transportation, as well as better settings for pedestrians and cyclists, would come via an attractive streetscape. The study's principals said it would, however, be a streetscape that's quite large -- five miles long, including five bridges whose sum total measures nearly one-fifth of the corridor's length. The neighborhoods along the corridor are broken up by those bridges and the study seeks to unify those communities by making those bridges part of the neighborhoods rather than separators of them.

I will have an article in Thursday's papers (West Side and Brooklyn) about this project, including summarizing the public feedback.

[Firenze98]

Seeing as how a BRT line is less costly to build than rail, I would love to see a BRT down W25th/Pearl Rd. to Parma.  It could essentially be an extension of the Silver/ Health Line.  The HealthLine title will still be relevant as it would pass MetroHealth and could teminate at the Parma General Hospital.  The BRT vehicles continue across the Detriot/Superior bridge, make a left onto W25th and continue on.  The Old Brooklyn to Parma corridor is heavily populated and makes sense for a future project.  In times of high fuel costs etc, this is just my wish.

[KJP]

Sometimes BRT is less costly to build and operate than rail. Not always, despite the predisposition of some at RTA.

[cle2032]

It's rather dense (for a suburb) on W.25/Pearl in Parma/Parma Hts-heck even Middlebug Hts.  I grew up in Parma Hts. and Pearl Road-around York-W130th is a nice ped-friendly stretch of city. 

[jam40jeff]

Any developments on this?

[KJP]

Not since that public meeting last summer.

[jar3232]

I saw the transit plan for the W25/Pearl corridor.  A lot of streetscaping ideas and such.  They want to go with the BRT option.  After the plan is presented to the public next week I can probably send it out, PM if you want more details. 

[jpop]

Is BRT really that much cheaper? It would be so awesome to see some light rail down this corridor ..

[clvlndr]

I would love to see the type of LRT extension from the Red Line as was discussed earlier in this thread.  One thing I think is missed in the eagerness and supposed relative cheapness of BRT compared to LRT, is that LRT extension would benefit much more by tying passengers and equipment into the existing rail transit network.  Riders into downtown from Parma could get, say, a 1-seat ride to Shaker Square or maybe Univ. Circle, if either dual-height equipment were used or, like E. 34th and E. 55th, low platforms could be installed at Red Line Stations.  BRT travelers, on the other hand, must transfer to Rapid Transit by going outdoors (we know of Cleveland's weather) to reach such popular places, including the Airport.

Also, BRT may be attractive in some ways as you move further from downtown simply because the tightness and density of streets lightens.  But as we're seeing already with the Health Line, BRT in downtown is somewhat awkward and confusing to drivers, who are redused to a 1 outer lane.  Plus, I feel lower Euclid is less pedestrian friendly, now, than before the Health Line.  Yes, there are more businesses and apartments springing up on Euclid, but those were in the works well before BRT was finalized or up and running.  BRT just seems like it's created a psychological barrier in the middle of Euclid, esp where those semi-high platform stations are.  I'm not totally poo-pooing the Health Line in this respect, because as I said, Euclid is coming back nicely...

But remember, even though our current Rapid system still lacks adequate distribution around downtown, it still has benefits from an underground/off street terminal to which train egress and ingress is speedy due to rapid rail's traffic/grade separated approaches.

[KJP]

If BRT is a lighter version of light rail, then this is going to be BRT light. Don't expect a Euclid Corridor/HealthLine. This is going to be a streetscaping with transit elements (ie: nicer Transit Waiting Environments, better signage, etc).

[jam40jeff]

Darn.  I wanted a 100% Rapid ride to Honey Hut!

[327]

When is Commander BRT's contract up with RTA?  In each instance of possible BRT, I would rather use that money to get rail closer to shovel-ready.  I can't be the only one thinking this.

[jar3232]

Well here is the Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI) study. The W25 corridor is a major through way on the West Side and definitely needs an upgrade.  Lots of potential!   



Ohio City










Queen-Barber - I have never personally heard that this hood had a formal name or even a business district.  There is an I-90 ramp. 








Clark-Metro








Metro Health








Brooklyn-Centre










Old Brooklyn








Dedicated bike lane AND demo of the horrible dollar store on the corner for mixed use.  No new RTA and expanded stations though, this is a major area for people catching the bus and constantly has people sitting on the steps of US bank. 


Old Brooklyn specific projects in conjunction with the TLCI study


Wild Life Way (thee zoo road) realignment and expansion of a small neighborhood park


Another area for redevelopment is the Old Brooklyn “triangle”  Currently a branch of the Cleveland library, various small business and the HUGE vacant RTA Westside bus garage.






Another Old Brooklyn commercial district along pearl










Brookpark Rd Retail District - Also currently this plaze is going to be remolded

[jpop]

Is there any way we can see the full sizes of these? These are all ridiculously tiny and impossible to read.

[KJP]

Thanks so much for posting these, Jar3232!

[jpop]

Yeah .. that was cool.

I'm sorry .. I still really want light rail to go through this corridor. I mean, how amazing would that be?!? Siiiigh.

I think I'm most excited about the potential for Brooklyn Centre and everything south, especially the Old Brooklyn sections.

[tedders55]

I agree LR would be a major improvement to the area.  I know I have talked to some Parma residents that sound like they are pleading for a light rail extension.  However the land acquisition costs would be pretty high through most of the area I would imagine. 

[McCleveland]

As long as this major work is being done... you mean to tell me we can't bury the power lines?!?  There is actually a law or code in the books that requires this, but for some reason it hasn't been enforced in about 70 years.

[KJP]

I agree LR would be a major improvement to the area.  I know I have talked to some Parma residents that sound like they are pleading for a light rail extension.  However the land acquisition costs would be pretty high through most of the area I would imagine. 

Just build it as a streetcar.

[327]

I agree LR would be a major improvement to the area.  I know I have talked to some Parma residents that sound like they are pleading for a light rail extension.  However the land acquisition costs would be pretty high through most of the area I would imagine. 

Just build it as a streetcar.

Yes.

[jpop]

I agree LR would be a major improvement to the area.  I know I have talked to some Parma residents that sound like they are pleading for a light rail extension.  However the land acquisition costs would be pretty high through most of the area I would imagine. 

Just build it as a streetcar.

Yes.

Does anyone remember the link to that article someone posted about light rail being built in the UK .. with a new system that made it much cheaper to build? Maybe the RTA would like that information to look into?

[cd-cleveland]

I like that bike lanes have been incorporated into OB.  Seems like OBCDC was listening when all of us bicyclists showed up to the planning meetings wanting to see improvements for bikes and pedestrians.  I guess the street was too narrow to pull off elsewhere. I hope sharrows can be incorporated where there are no dedicated lanes.

I agree that the buried power lines look nice in the historic areas, but should be considered throughout the entire corridor.

Thanks for posting, jar!

[jar3232]

Does anyone remember the link to that article someone posted about light rail being built in the UK .. with a new system that made it much cheaper to build? Maybe the RTA would like that information to look into?

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,19045.msg390207.html#msg390207

[jpop]

Thanks, jar!