This to me seems to serve the same purpose as shutting the road down to outside traffic. As a driver, I'm not taking a street that's going to have two traffic circles within 10 blocks. From a motorist, POV, one's bad enough.

This to me seems to serve the same purpose as shutting the road down to outside traffic. As a driver, I'm not taking a street that's going to have two traffic circles within 10 blocks. From a motorist, POV, one's bad enough.

 

 

Then ride the Silver Line  :wink:

As a driver, I'm not taking a street that's going to have two traffic circles within 10 blocks. From a motorist, POV, one's bad enough.

 

From this motorist view (who has four children and does much to much commuting to various kid events and such), I would prefer there were more roundabouts. This way there would be less ware and tear on my car's breaks; I could drive from one place to another without stopping; I would use less gas;  I would pay less in taxes (theoretically - although there would be significant saving for the local municipality) because the local government would not have to spend so much money every year replacing traffic signal lights (two for every intersection); I would have cleaner air to breathe (no cars idling in place for extended periods of time); I would not have to worry about other cars going through red lights and side-swiping my car (has happened)...

 

Should I go on?

 

 

[edit: grammer]

Well, I grew up in the Akron area where there was a real, high-traffic circle (Tallmadge Circle), and that thing is stressful, I don't care what the stats say.

 

 

Is it still there?

How old was it?

Is it a modern roundabout, or traffic circle like Cleveland has on the east side?

What do you mean by "high" traffic... in Tallmadge.

When I lived in Kent in the late 1980s, I used to go through Tallmadge on Route 261 fairly often and used the traffic circle there. I recall rush-hour traffic backing up pretty far heading toward the circle, morso than on the traffic circles in Cleveland's eastern suburbs. Granted, the roads heading into the Tallmadge circle were all one lane in each direction and were more heavily used than Euclid Avenue. And there was no away to avoid the traffic circle in Tallmadge, whereas you have Chester and Carnegie to avoid Euclid.

^^ Like KJP said. A number of high-traffic streets converge on Tallmadge Circle. This is right on the edge of Akron. It's not podunk nowhereville.

 

I'm not an expert on traffic circles, but you merge on to it and then go round and around until you can get off on the street you want. There are no lights or anything breaking up the flow. I believe the circle dates at least from the 1800s.

 

Google Map this address to see the circle: 115 Tallmadge Circle, tallmadge, ohio

 

 

 

Looking at satellite imagery, I have no idea how they're going to fit a traffic circle at the intersections they claim to want to put them.  If there's one thing we know a circle does, is that it takes up more real estate.  Look at 89th and Euclid:

 

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&z=18&ll=41.503471,-81.62448&spn=0.002864,0.005021&t=h&om=1

 

There are rather large buildings right on 2 of the corners, plus the Taussig Cancer Center and it's lush front lawn on the SE corner.  Where's the pavement for the circle going to go?

 

There's a similar deal going on at E. 100th: 

 

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&z=18&ll=41.503471,-81.62448&spn=0.002864,0.005021&t=h&om=1

 

It would have to be a heck of a tight circle, and it would have to be similar to Fairmount Circle in Shaker/UH rather than Tallmadge Circle since they need to have Euclid Ave going through the circle to maintain the bus lanes.  The through lane requires traffic signals at the intersections of the circle and Euclid itself.  If a car approaches E 89th from the west, it is diverted around the circle while busses can go right through.  A car wishing to go south on 89th banks right and continues.  If a car wants to continue on Euclid, it could probably bank right into the car lane without a stop.  But if the car needs to head north on 89th, there needs to be at least a stop sign at Euclid to keep the circling car from going right through and colliding with one of the Silver Line buses with pass right though the circle.  So, it would not be a no-stop traffic circle unless you declared no left-turns at those two streets. A stop sign would suffice since bus traffic only goes through the intersection every 5 minutes or so at best, right?  Now that I think of it you could get away with a flashing yellow at the crossover at Euclid, that would switch to red when a Silver Line vehicle approaches. That would minimize stopping-and-starting for cars, and probably be safer since people would probably run those stop signs a lot.

 

But the space to me is the main question. It'd be a tight fit.

Per the article, they are cutting out left turns at the two intersections.  And the more of that lush front lawn that is taken up, the better. 

^ These are traffic calming circles, we have lots of them here in FL . I'm sure that they are not talking about any thing even close to scale of the Tallmadge Circle.

 

See more info here:

 

http://www.trafficcalming.org/trafficcircles.html

 

Well ain't they dainty! Looks like Cleveland can't muster the muscle to compete with Akron  ;)

Seattle has a lot of that type of traffic circle as well.  I'd like to see more in Cleveland.  I think they would work wonders for slowing down the traffic on our side streets.

There are a bunch in Chicago as well, and I think in the Short North of Columbus there are a few

More work scheduled on Euclid Avenue

Posted by Sarah Hollander February 26, 2007 19:36PM

Categories: Breaking News

Work on the Euclid Corridor project will begin on the south side of Euclid Avenue from East

81st to East 86th streets in Cleveland on March 8, weather permitting.

 

Traffic will shift from the south side to the new pavement on the north side along this stretch.

 

One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/02/more_work_scheduled_on_euclid.html

Have they started any of the station construction yet?

^ These are traffic calming circles, we have lots of them here in FL . I'm sure that they are not talking about any thing even close to scale of the Tallmadge Circle.

 

See more info here:

 

http://www.trafficcalming.org/trafficcircles.html

 

 

I these things all over the place in the central residential neighborhoods in Vancouver, BC.    They really do work to slow traffic down. 

Was out and focused in on this bus-rapid?? stop.

 

 

 

 

Question. Are the street lights in the first pic the end design or does something need to be added to the back side of the actual light fixture?

Those are the actual finished street lights.

They are mostly up around CSU too.

I believe CPP is attempting to establish a set of uniform light fixture options citywide.  My understanding is that developers/planners/whoever will get to pick from 6 designs for upgrades, etc.  I'm not enamored with any of the ones I've seen!

 

I was on the Euclid Corridor, yesterday, riding the 6 through the freezing rain from CSU to Univ. Circle and was happy to see that west-Midtown is nearing completion with the basic infrastructure work.  I can't wait to see the rest of the fixtures, plantings, etc. installed!  University Circle and the Clinic are another story...

 

By the way, did anyone notice that when they chopped down the trees in the median in front of Severance that someone carved little sad faces into their stumps?

I did notice that - and althought I was not a carver, I was a bit sad to see them go.  I called a friend of mine who used to go to school at Case & told him, and he was also a bit sad.  Don't know why we felt that way, because it wasn't the loveliest median in the world, it was just weird to see them being torn out.

Are the stations simply a raised median with a typical RTA bus shelter tied into them? 

gotribe, I think the stations are described in detail, you might want to check the ECP website.

Are the stations simply a raised median with a typical RTA bus shelter tied into them? 

 

the stations were originally slated to be stainless steel, covering the entire platform.  there has been a lot of "value engineering" on this portion of the project, but i think that they are using painted steel now.  i haven't seen a rendering of the new stations, and the ECP site is VERY out of date.  there appears to be 9 holes in the ramp area which will support steel posts i assume (could just be for handrails), but i don't see any evidence of substantial supports or bolts for the actual station platforms.  i just hope they cover the ENTIRE platform.

 

on another note:

the traffic light masts (all steel, painted silver) have been delivered to e69 and euclid - behind the red and white fence. 

 

also, does anyone know why they haven't posted some of the big signs advertising ECP downtown - not the federal transit signs, but pictures of what the corridor will look like when finished?  i've seen these in other areas on the corridor, and i think this would make a big impact downtown as everyone walks past the construction - they could hang one on the rotunda building and have some mobile type signs as well.

Are the stations simply a raised median with a typical RTA bus shelter tied into them? 

 

the stations were originally slated to be stainless steel, covering the entire platform.  there has been a lot of "value engineering" on this portion of the project, but i think that they are using painted steel now.  i haven't seen a rendering of the new stations, and the ECP site is VERY out of date.  there appears to be 9 holes in the ramp area which will support steel posts i assume (could just be for handrails), but i don't see any evidence of substantial supports or bolts for the actual station platforms.  i just hope they cover the ENTIRE platform.

 

on another note:

the traffic light masts (all steel, painted silver) have been delivered to e69 and euclid - behind the red and white fence. 

 

also, does anyone know why they haven't posted some of the big signs advertising ECP downtown - not the federal transit signs, but pictures of what the corridor will look like when finished?  i've seen these in other areas on the corridor, and i think this would make a big impact downtown as everyone walks past the construction - they could hang one on the rotunda building and have some mobile type signs as well.

 

 

Why don't you suggest this?  I think its a GREAT idea.  Bambi marketing would do wonders right now, since people can see the islands and street lamps.

 

I think the ECP people are probably trying to keep quiet and focus on delivering big since its not an actual light rail line.

^ Hanging banners from the Rotunda like the Met does in New York? Now that would be some world-class signage ;)

^god, if only zaremba knew what he started

FYI - Informational Event re: Euclid Corridor

 

via: http://upcoming.org/event/168985/

 

When: Thursday, April 5, 2007, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

 

Where: Webtego, 2530 Superior Avenue, Suite 600,Cleveland, Ohio 44114,41.5091, -81.6739

 

Category: Social

 

Description:

Joseph L. Shaffer, PE Deputy Project Manager for Construction of the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project and others from GCRTA will join the Midtown Brews Roundtable to discuss some specifics of the Euclid Corridor Project and the important part that Public Transit plays in shrinking our carbon footprint. Besides talking about shrinking carbon footprints, and how shrinking those footprints offer a wide range of economic development opportunities in Northeast Ohio the conversation will also consider what opportunities the Euclid Corridor Project brings to us.

 

So bring your favorite six pack of brew to share and join the conversation.

Homepage: http://meetthebloggers.net

Are the stations simply a raised median with a typical RTA bus shelter tied into them? 

 

the stations were originally slated to be stainless steel, covering the entire platform.  there has been a lot of "value engineering" on this portion of the project, but i think that they are using painted steel now.  i haven't seen a rendering of the new stations, and the ECP site is VERY out of date.  there appears to be 9 holes in the ramp area which will support steel posts i assume (could just be for handrails), but i don't see any evidence of substantial supports or bolts for the actual station platforms.  i just hope they cover the ENTIRE platform.

 

on another note:

the traffic light masts (all steel, painted silver) have been delivered to e69 and euclid - behind the red and white fence. 

 

also, does anyone know why they haven't posted some of the big signs advertising ECP downtown - not the federal transit signs, but pictures of what the corridor will look like when finished?  i've seen these in other areas on the corridor, and i think this would make a big impact downtown as everyone walks past the construction - they could hang one on the rotunda building and have some mobile type signs as well.

 

there's actually some very good information on the varying station designs available here: http://www.euclidtransit.org/ECTP_documents/Community%20Update%20022807%20MJS.pdf (specifically, pages 25-33)

 

there are a total of three different station designs that will be used along the length of the project, varying in scale to fit into the neighborhood, but all sharing a common theme

 

while there has been a fair amount of "value engineering"/cost cutting on this project, it's being gone about in a manner that seems to make sense, and is working toward a goal of completing the project on budget, something that seems to be largely ignored these days -- dollars, especially public transit dollars, aren't just like potato chips, we can't simply make more

 

one other point to bring up, and this was stressed in the community update meeting -- the final project will look a lot like the initial renderings, moreso than most other projects of this scope; love it or hate it, you can't say it won't be what was initially envisioned

^thnx for posting the link for the pdf.

I feel a little better about the project after having viewed the presentation. If the final project can remain true to the rendering's I think we are in good shape. My biggest concerns are the shelters on public square, they just don't seem big enough to handle the amount of riders that currently crowd the ones that are there now. I would have liked to have seen something more significant at PS than what is shown. Something enclosed and heated would have been nice. I hope most of the decorative walks and landscaping remain or has alot of that been cut back, I guess we will have to wait and see. Also those lamp posts are just o.k., I mean they are pretty bland-I just hope that they can keep them lit and maintained.

From WEWS:

 

Note - the pictures from February on the website are taken from right outside the Channel 5 Studio. Just thought it was interesting.

 

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/11496877/detail.html

 

Substandard Concrete Ripped Up Along Euclid Corridor

Concrete Poured Beneath Tent During Cold Snap

 

POSTED: 5:27 pm EDT April 2, 2007

UPDATED: 8:14 am EDT April 3, 2007

 

CLEVELAND -- Construction crews spent Monday tearing up concrete already laid down along Euclid Avenue as part of the Euclid Corridor project.

 

The Regional Transit Authority told NewsChannel5 that part of the new concrete bus pad had to be ripped up after their inspectors found it wasn't up to their standards.

 

.......

 

there's actually some very good information on the varying station designs available here: http://www.euclidtransit.org/ECTP_documents/Community%20Update%20022807%20MJS.pdf (specifically, pages 25-33)

 

Thanks for pointing out that presentation- some pretty cool stuff.  I do like to squint and pretend those were rails they were laying in those lanes...but still cool nonetheless.

 

I'm pretty wary of the district signage program though.  So clinical/planner-y and lame, IMHO.  "University Circle District"?  Um, no, I think we just say "University Circle".  "Historic Euclid Avenue District"?  How about "Lower Euclid Avenue"- a name people might actually use.  And "Theater District"?  WTF? why not use the name our theater district actually has (and that people use)?  I won't even comment on "Quadrangle".  All so needlessly fakey.  A letter might be in order...

I'm still scared about turning left on Euclid. It's probably just my awful driving skills but that looks really complicated.

Have any pedestrians been hit crossing Euclid at E9th yet? The way they've got the crosswalks constricted seems incredibly dangerous.. I don't blame you for being nervous.

I'm pretty wary of the district signage program though.  So clinical/planner-y and lame, IMHO.  "University Circle District"?  Um, no, I think we just say "University Circle".  "Historic Euclid Avenue District"?  How about "Lower Euclid Avenue"- a name people might actually use.  And "Theater District"?  WTF? why not use the name our theater district actually has (and that people use)?  I won't even comment on "Quadrangle".  All so needlessly fakey.  A letter might be in order...

 

Good points. I totally agree. Good thing that the Silver line doesn't pass through the new Avenue District project. The Avenue District district would sound really weird.

Actually, if you have two "districts" in your name, your property values are projected to double when the Silver Line opens! 

 

I really can't get over how they keep pushing the opening back one season at a time.  At one point, I'm sure it was supposed to be done by now.  Last fall, they said "Spring 2008."  Then we had a meeting earlier this year and they said "Fall 2008."  Now, "end of 2008?"  What a crock...

I noticed yesterday a bunch of bounded trees sitting on their sides near the Euclid/30th intersection.

They were nice size trees too, not saplings.

Still, as I recall full operation of the Silver Line was projected as 2009 from the start. Curious that the original construction timeline and construction maps have disappeared from the project website.

 

Here in Playhouse Square we can see some progress and it certainly looks like all the orange barrels and fencing should be gone by the end of the year (closing and rebuilding the East 14th-Euclid intersection is yet to come).

 

 

I noticed yesterday a bunch of bounded trees sitting on their sides near the Euclid/30th intersection.

They were nice size trees too, not saplings.

 

Yeah, they had those for it seemed about a 10 block stretch

Still, as I recall full operation of the Silver Line was projected as 2009 from the start. Curious that the original construction timeline and construction maps have disappeared from the project website.

 

fear not.  i know we all hate accountability and progress, and certainly the businesses on Euclid are probably hoping that this project takes another 10 years as business is booming...

 

from the original site:

 

^So what's with all the BS blurbs in PD articles saying that the project is "still on schedule."  I'm no reporter, but can't someone at the PD fact-check and call them out on this?

 

 

One example....

............................

RTA said some of the concrete was only meant to be temporary, but that the contractor will repour the ripped-up area at their own expense and the Euclid Corridor project remains on schedule.

 

It should be complete the end of 2008.[/size]

Visitor overlooks downtown mess

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Sam Fulwood III

Plain Dealer Columnist

 

.............

What a bunch of dopes (not this woman in the article, though, she sounds quite nice).

 

What's worse, construction or a road that looks like it's on the way to Fallujah? Only in Cleveland can people take lemonade and get acid indigestion.

I seriously believe the PD would actually just shut Cleveland down and send everyone home and say, come back in 2009, we don't like dust!

i'd assume most visitors think "construction=progress"

 

but maybe that's just me.

i think a vistor could view the activity as a sign of progress.

 

i'm disappointed the city/RTA hasn't unified the construction process more.  i know construction is dirty and creates a mess.  but, nowhere downtown is there any signage depicting the NEW euclid avenue.  how about parking one of the new buses (which is apparently in cleveland now) on public square for the tribe home opener? 

 

as Clevelanders seem to be their own worst enemy sometimes, i'm glad that vistors had a good time, and that many hopefully left with a good impression of our city.  but, let's not lose this opportunity to advertise the project to the numbers of local residents and visitors who are stuck in this mess everyday.  Simple measure such as putting some banners up, removing unnecessary obstructions after construction hours, filling in the terrible potholes/settling between e13 and e14, etc. would go a long way. 

 

 

i'd assume most visitors think "construction=progress"

 

but maybe that's just me.

 

Exactly, and Sam's "friend" sounds like a stupid tool.  Urbanlife has hit it on the head though.  Outside of those of us who actually follow what is going on really see what is happening on Euclid as the mess that is necessary for a major upgrade to our public realm.  I don't know if the visitors would have gotten the real scope of what is happening just from seeing a street torn up and under construction.

^you know what this calls for?

 

WORLD CLASS SIGNAGE!!!!!

i'd assume most visitors think "construction=progress"

 

but maybe that's just me.

 

Its not just you. I was thinking the same as I read the article.

Only in Cleveland can people take lemonade and get acid indigestion.

 

perfect metaphor  :-D