@GISguyGreat pic! Now would be a good time to film a post-apocalyptic movie or TV show there. Or an economic calamity for the USA like a massive gasoline shortage.

 

Here is an update on the project from ODOT:

 

https://youtu.be/Z-JPNdcQN2Q

 

 

 

Taco slayer has an updated video on Youtube.  Im not sure how to post it here

 

19 hours ago, TR said:

Taco slayer has an updated video on Youtube.  Im not sure how to post it here

 

 

Here ya go:

 

 

New vid from tacoslayer. 

Also does anyone have any info on the "track" that is being replaced or rerouted as part of this project? Starts at about 6:30...

 

There seems to be so much more work to be done, what is the latest estimated date of completion?

9 hours ago, cfdwarrior said:

There seems to be so much more work to be done, what is the latest estimated date of completion?

 

Summer 2022. But it looks like the section around East 75th-79th is pretty much done now.

On 8/1/2021 at 1:11 PM, freethink said:

New vid from tacoslayer. 

Also does anyone have any info on the "track" that is being replaced or rerouted as part of this project? Starts at about 6:30...

 

 

Just FYI that's Kingsbury Run/Sidaway Bridge to the right at that section. If you look back in older imagery it previously was a Balloon Loop for RTA (maybe not the right term, but either way), so that might be what they're after again. Hard to get an orientation, but the new track is going west towards RTA mainline/E55 yard. 

 

 

I've biked it a couple times and it's been night and day - bridges are being completed, ground is leveling out in preparation for paving, etc. - I also swear last time I did it tacoslayer was flying over - at least someone with a drone was (scared the crap outa me!). 

Edited August 9, 20213 yr by GISguy

 

8 minutes ago, GISguy said:

 

Just FYI that's Kingsbury Run/Sidaway Bridge to the right at that section. If you look back in older imagery it previously was a Balloon Loop for RTA (maybe not the right term, but either way), so that might be what they're after again. 

 

I've biked it a couple times and it's been night and day - bridges are being completed, ground is leveling out in preparation for paving, etc. - I also swear last time I did it tacoslayer was flying over - at least someone with a drone was (scared the crap outa me!). 

 

ope lol

 

 

I am curious about the access road for RTA that runs from East 71st through a green space.   The Sideway Bridge connected the two sections of Sideway Ave, not for vehicles but for pedestrians. The Bridge traverses a ravine which is also the  RTA access road.  Was there any consideration to relocate the access road and does RTA really need all the land?  RTA utilizes the area to store equipment and material, like gravel and ties.   It could be a Metropark  potentially expanded it into some of the obsolescence that surrounds the ravine.   That Bridge could be restored and serve as  access from Garden Valley to the RTA station.  

Edited September 23, 20213 yr by Michael J. Hirz

The Opportunity Corridor will have an all-purpose path along it.

A question from someone on the odot site.

 

 

Q:Can’t something be done with the historic Sidaway suspension bridge? It’s so close to the project and would be excellent for the pathway being built in conjunction with the project.

 

A:We all agree that the Sidaway Bridge is interesting, historic, and culturally important. As you point out, it is relatively close to the route of the Opportunity Corridor (OC). That said, we do not agree that it could be used for the multipurpose path being construction as part of the OC project. There are obvious concerns with the age and condition of the structure, as it was built over 90 years ago and has not been used for 55 years. Beyond those concerns, the deck or walking surface of the existing structure was designed to be six feet wide and would not meet current standards for a multiuse path. The OC project is constructing a new crossing of the Kingsbury Run Valley , north of the Sidaway Bridge, that will include a 19 foot wide multiuse path/sidewalk. We feel this new crossing will provide better connectivity between E 55th Street and locations located east of Kinsman Road. Thank You

 

btw the flicker page has 129 photos of the last section. Looks like some recent paving has been done.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohiodot/sets/72157716300618392/

 

Edited September 23, 20213 yr by freethink

We didn't get an August update from Taco Slayer Aerial.  Hopefully a new video at the end of September.

https://www.youtube.com/user/brodie1976/videos

21 hours ago, Michael J. Hirz said:

I am curious about the access road for RTA that runs from East 71st through a green space.   The Sideway Bridge connected the two sections of Sideway Ave, not for vehicles but for pedestrians. The Bridge traverses a ravine which is also the  RTA access road.  Was there any consideration to relocate the access road and does RTA really need all the land?  RTA utilizes the area to store equipment and material, like gravel and ties.   It could be a Metropark  potentially expanded it into some of the obsolescence that surrounds the ravine.   That Bridge could be restored and serve as  access from Garden Valley to the RTA station.  

 

Having some familiarity with that area (our home when I was born is very close to one of those green lines), for the time being it's better off as a (presumably) fenced off RTA storage area.   Put a public park there and it will quickly become a dangerous one.

 

Maybe in a couple years if the OC stabilizes the neighborhood some.   

Taken while headed west on the Redline, the OC bridge over the Shaker Lines:

 

The first bridge in the corridor crossing Kingsbury Run, just north of the Sidaway Bridge:

Roadway for Opportunity Corridor nearly complete, expected to open by early November

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A long-awaited roadway that will link Interstate 77 with University Circle, potentially sparking economic growth in an area known as the “Forgotten Triangle,” is expected to open in little more than a month.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/cityhall/2021/10/roadway-for-opportunity-corridor-nearly-complete-expected-to-open-by-early-november.html

And to this day it's unclear the realistic benefits of this investment. Generations of publicly financed highways, freeways, junctions, exits, ramps, (deffered) maintenance, road widening, road painting, extensions, etc, have always arrived with promises of (opportunities of) economic development... and it's all sh*t.

 

Platitudes of "new jobs" and "new identity" for this little freeway extension is insulting. I try to be a booster on city projects, but Jesus this one is just too hard to choke down. 

 

Apologies for the cynicism.

I had an appointment at UH today and the only benefit I see short term from this road is getting some of the idiot drivers off Chester and away from the reemerging neighborhoods east of 55th.  People drive through there like there are no pedestrians within miles.  

24 minutes ago, Cleburger said:

I had an appointment at UH today and the only benefit I see short term from this road is getting some of the idiot drivers off Chester and away from the reemerging neighborhoods east of 55th.  People drive through there like there are no pedestrians within miles.  

You should see Kinsman at night. 

11 minutes ago, KFM44107 said:

You should see Kinsman at night. 

The entire city is bad at night.  It's almost like everyone knows there is zero enforcement from CPD....

@GISguy I saw your post with the photo of the new police headquarters and I know you like to bike it. Did you or can you take pictures of the other parts of the OC, especially where construction is wrapping up and share them?

6 minutes ago, KJP said:

@GISguy I saw your post with the photo of the new police headquarters and I know you like to bike it. Did you or can you take pictures of the other parts of the OC, especially where construction is wrapping up and share them?

 

I got a few, nothing as crazy as some previous rides, let me get them uploaded and I'll post. The only section that isn't paved yet is what goes under the RR tracks on the eastern end of the OC. Otherwise, it's all got the base layer down and stoplights and signage (not street signs though) up. Didn't see any cameras yet! ☠️ Haha

Never tried a video, let's see how this goes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taco Slayer has a new video on Youtube  

 

 

 

11 minutes ago, KJP said:

 

 

Time for one (or two) more rides lol

I would love to see a significant building, probably affordable housing with a ground-floor cafe and/or market, built within the roadway linking OC and East 55th, across the rail station. Would require several layers of public dollars, but I would hope Slavic Village CDC could instigate this.

In response to my incessant commenting about how the road should be named after Garrett Morgan, John Gorman pointed out that his traffic light, the first electric traffic signal in the world, was installed at E. 105th and Euclid.   One end of the OC.

 

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-electric-traffic-signal-installed?fbclid=IwAR18jFxH3ipO93fiprzdzet8dYEiQ8UF40nh9bRCF469KU4CEqJc3ExynZA

54 minutes ago, E Rocc said:

In response to my incessant commenting about how the road should be named after Garrett Morgan, John Gorman pointed out that his traffic light, the first electric traffic signal in the world, was installed at E. 105th and Euclid.   One end of the OC.

 

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-electric-traffic-signal-installed?fbclid=IwAR18jFxH3ipO93fiprzdzet8dYEiQ8UF40nh9bRCF469KU4CEqJc3ExynZA

 

Love it totally agree that it's a great name for the road, but at a minimum that should be a historical plaque on that corner. I don't believe there's anything commemorating that right now. 

1 hour ago, mu2010 said:

 

Love it totally agree that it's a great name for the road, but at a minimum that should be a historical plaque on that corner. I don't believe there's anything commemorating that right now. 

I would take it one step further and include an actual working replica of said traffic light.  

Ribbon cutting today. 

 

https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/ribbon-cutting-cleveland-opportunity-corridor/95-99b38577-3cdf-49af-a38a-7babad4a7569

 

As for the name, I'd vote for Liberty Boulevard, but I'm a bit biased. 🙂

 

Edited November 3, 20213 yr by LibertyBlvd

"Planned to officially open at the end of next week"

Officials hold Opportunity Corridor ribbon-cutting; road expected to open by end of next week

Updated: Nov. 03, 2021, 8:39 p.m. | Published: Nov. 03, 2021, 5:24 p.m.

 

By Robin Goist, cleveland.com

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and Ohio officials gathered Wednesday to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the long-awaited Opportunity Corridor Boulevard between Interstate 490 and University Circle – but Clevelanders will have to wait a little longer before they can drive, bike or walk on it.

The three-mile road is expected to open Friday, Nov. 12, according to Ohio Department of Transportation spokeswoman Amanda McFarland.

 

https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2021/11/officials-hold-opportunity-corridor-ribbon-cutting-road-expected-to-open-by-end-of-next-week.html

 

Cynical me is remembering back in '08 when the Health Corridor opened for business... on the same day PNC bought National City, and I remember thinking, boy, all this fanfare for a beautified road? Forget this nonsense, we've got real problems now.

 

Cleveland booster me still isn't quite seeing the realistic value of this project, despite the usual buzz words along with this gem: "[it will]...strengthen regional cohesion, support economic development and enhance the quality of life.." From a three-mile road? 

 

sh*t, I think Cleveland booster me IS Cynical me with this project.

Edited November 4, 20213 yr by TBideon

@TBideonYou aren't alone.  Car infrastructure is overbuilt in NE Ohio and indeed the entire country.   We have been in the realm of diminishing returns on new road capacity for a very long time.  Other types of transportation projects would provide far greater economic returns at this point-- trams, trains, dedicated busways, protected bikeways.  These are all under-built and thus have greater potential for economic returns to say nothing about the social returns of having options to the car keys. 

25 minutes ago, gildone said:

@TBideonYou aren't alone.  Car infrastructure is overbuilt in NE Ohio ...

 

But it could have been worse if ALL of the proposed freeways in this area were built.  At least this will open up a dead zone in Cleveland and should siphon some traffic off of the innerbelt and the shoreway.

4 minutes ago, LibertyBlvd said:

 

But it could have been worse if ALL of the proposed freeways in this area were built.  At least this will open up a dead zone in Cleveland and should siphon some traffic off of the innerbelt and the shoreway.

I'll give you that. 

Biggest!

Waste!

of!

Money!

 

2 hours ago, TBideon said:

Cynical me is remembering back in '08 when the Health Corridor opened for business... on the same day PNC bought National City, and I remember thinking, boy, all this fanfare for a beautified road? Forget this nonsense, we've got real problems now.

 

Cleveland booster me still isn't quite seeing the realistic value of this project, despite the usual buzz words along with this gem: "[it will]...strengthen regional cohesion, support economic development and enhance the quality of life.." From a three-mile road? 

 

sh*t, I think Cleveland booster me IS Cynical me with this project.

 

It increases access to CC/UC from pretty much everywhere south and west, and that of course includes the airport.

 

It also allows construction on the other routes between downtown and that area without creating traffic chaos.

If it were up to me, like most people here, I would ban cars from the city center, create parking maximums in the zoning code, create a commuter tax for car commuters, and create a streetcar/expanded rapid transit system all over the city.

 

Since that isn't happening, I think the Jackson Administration did a good job with this project. They turned it from a bypass freeway to something that will and already is measurably benefiting the community. They have site control over adjacent real estate to prevent crap development. They have taken their time and done a lot of community engagement in the process. ODOT has involved many local residents in the construction. They have plans for a walkable, residential mixed use E. 79th street near *two* rapid stations. A construction academy. A huge cold storage facility. A bike path along the whole thing. I don't know what more we could ask for honestly.

 

The time for complaining that the road should never have been built passed long ago. I have my issues with Jackson but kudos to how they handled this thing.

Edited November 4, 20213 yr by mu2010

17 hours ago, mu2010 said:

If it were up to me, like most people here, I would ban cars from the city center, create parking maximums in the zoning code, create a commuter tax for car commuters, and create a streetcar/expanded rapid transit system all over the city.

 

Since that isn't happening, I think the Jackson Administration did a good job with this project. They turned it from a bypass freeway to something that will and already is measurably benefiting the community. They have site control over adjacent real estate to prevent crap development. They have taken their time and done a lot of community engagement in the process. ODOT has involved many local residents in the construction. They have plans for a walkable, residential mixed use E. 79th street near *two* rapid stations. A construction academy. A huge cold storage facility. A bike path along the whole thing. I don't know what more we could ask for honestly.

 

The time for complaining that the road should never have been built passed long ago. I have my issues with Jackson but kudos to how they handled this thing.

 

Those first parts might gain the supporting of a whopping 10% of the people in the region.  The last moreso in principle, but not what it would cost.

 

Other than that, agreed.  The freeway never would have happened, but this suits the area far better.  The Great Green Car Free Zone the Angie Schmitts of the world advocated wasn't happening either of course. 

 

Also, they minimized residential disruption and routed it in order to address quite a few brownfields.  

17 hours ago, E Rocc said:

It increases access to CC/UC from pretty much everywhere south and west, and that of course includes the airport.

 

It also allows construction on the other routes between downtown and that area without creating traffic chaos.

I’m really hoping for Chester to get a massive makeover, protected bike lanes, road diet, pedestrian protections, etc. That would be a really good outcome. 

2 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

I’m really hoping for Chester to get a massive makeover, protected bike lanes, road diet, pedestrian protections, etc. That would be a really good outcome. 

 

It's practical to work on Chester now, but I wouldn't be expecting any "road diets".   

One thing I like about the current design is the side roads leading into the parallel roads, so that while intersections are there they are fewer.

 

It might benefit from some pedestrian bridges like they have in North Collinwood over Villaview and the Shoreway.    On Chester, they might actually get used.

3 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

I’m really hoping for Chester to get a massive makeover, protected bike lanes, road diet, pedestrian protections, etc. That would be a really good outcome. 

Taming the Chester Highway would be a good idea.

On 11/5/2021 at 7:06 AM, E Rocc said:

 

Those first parts might gain the supporting of a whopping 10% of the people in the region.  The last moreso in principle, but not what it would cost.

 

I understand that, that's why I said "if it were up to me" and "since that isn't happening. (Though the cost aspect is bogus because you have to consider decreased road & gas usage in the analysis. But I understand you're right about the politics.)

 

The point was just that we aren't going to get all of our urbanist fantasies here, and considering that point, the Opportunity Corridor has been a good project.

 

23 hours ago, Foraker said:

Taming the Chester Highway would be a good idea.

 

Great idea. The east end of Chester ("Upper" Chester?) is going to become apartment row now. And with Circle Square/UC3 going in, with the goal of creating a neighborhood and a downtown over there, that part of Chester should be included in that.

Just saw a note from the general contractor Kokosing....The road will open to traffic on Nov. 12.

9 minutes ago, KJP said:

Just saw a note from the general contractor Kokosing....The road will open to traffic on Nov. 12.

Ya. I've driven it a few times in the patrol car. It's actually very well done. Still haven't planted anything in the median as of last week. I assume they won't until spring, but then again we are talking about ODOT. 

Last one from @tacoslayer on YouTube. like/subscribe/comment