Pic one on Father Caruso looking West into Battery Park.  #2 Looking East.

 

Just updates for fun.

 

Father Caruso is now torn up all the way from 67th to 74th.  The old railroad offshoot tracks that used to head towards 73rd are all piled up. 

Are there any renderings/master plans of this?

Father Caruso is now torn up all the way from 67th to 74th.  The old railroad offshoot tracks that used to head towards 73rd are all piled up. 

 

Oh, you mean the spur? ;)

Are there any renderings/master plans of this?

 

info here if you click & download the pdf's http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/LakefrontWest/Pages/default.aspx

Interesting timing on this article, but it could just be business press chest-thumping?  What is involved in Phase II?

 

Baker Selected for ODOT Lakefront West Phase II Design Contract

 

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 27, 2013--

 

Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker Corporation (NYSE MKT:BKR), was awarded a one-year, $4.5 million roadway and structure design services contract by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for Phase II of the Lakefront West project on U.S. Route 6 in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

When completed, the Lakefront West Project will connect Cleveland's west-side neighborhoods with the lakefront by creating multi-modal connections along the West Shoreway. The project transforms a 2.5-mile, 50 mph freeway into a scenic, tree-lined, 35 mph boulevard. Specifically, Baker will provide detailed roadway and structures design, traffic certification and analysis, maintenance of traffic, traffic signal plans, drainage design, utility coordination and documentation, geotechnical review, final waterway permit and conceptual mitigation plan, project management and stakeholder meetings/coordination, landscaping and constructability reviews.

 

The rest of the press release:

 

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130827-909544.html

Interesting timing on this article, but it could just be business press chest-thumping?  What is involved in Phase II?

 

 

Isn't that the 2.5-mile section described in the second paragraph?

Interesting timing on this article, but it could just be business press chest-thumping?  What is involved in Phase II?

 

 

Isn't that the 2.5-mile section described in the second paragraph?

 

I guess so, but I thought this had had been shot down during the ODOT collapse of 2012 (when they announced the second innerbelt bridge wouldn't be completed until our great great grandchildren were driving across it?)

Not at all. In fact, I'd been hearing from Cleveland city council members that this West Shoreway project would effectively extend the "Enhance Clifton" project (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4446.0.html) east of the Lake Avenue intersection in terms of the landscaped median, transit stops along the roadway and a 35 mph speed. If they're going to do this, then I wish they would get rid of the interchange at Edgewater Park. Either do a boulevard or a highway but not both.

I keep hearing it's going to get done but I'm not certain about the money.

 

I thought the money was supposed to come from the Turnpike funds disbursement and I don't think they got anything from that.

 

Looks like they have enough loose change lying around for the plans, but the project is not funded yet.

Looks like they have enough loose change lying around for the plans, but the project is not funded yet.

 

my take on this as well

Not at all. In fact, I'd been hearing from Cleveland city council members that this West Shoreway project would effectively extend the "Enhance Clifton" project (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4446.0.html) east of the Lake Avenue intersection in terms of the landscaped median, transit stops along the roadway and a 35 mph speed. If they're going to do this, then I wish they would get rid of the interchange at Edgewater Park. Either do a boulevard or a highway but not both.

 

 

Agreed 110%.  At grade the entire way until the Main Ave Bridge.

2 cranes arrived this morning at the project site on 73rd & what's left of Caruso.  A helper crane erecting a larger crawler crane, will be used to start driving sheet piling...

I haven't been following this very closely.  Have they started on the Shoreway Conversion?  Is the construction referenced above in relation to the conversion?

I haven't been following this very closely.  Have they started on the Shoreway Conversion?  Is the construction referenced above in relation to the conversion?

 

No the conversion has not started nor is it funded.

 

The comments above reference the W 73rd interchange project that will link W73rd to Edgewater and the SHoreway via. car/bike/pedestrian ramps.

 

 

this project is expected to receive funding from Turnpike bonds.

this project is expected to receive funding from Turnpike bonds.

 

I see no funding from turnpike or acknowledgement from mayor of any funding.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/09/turnpike_gives_final_stamp_to.html

 

http://media.cleveland.com/plain_dealer_metro/other/turnpike.pdf

 

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2013/09/mayor_frank_jackson_plays_agai.html

 

"Jackson marveled at views of downtown from Edgewater, where stately mansions overlook Lake Erie. He used the moment to plug his proposal to turn the West Shoreway, a short stretch of freeway connecting the neighborhood to downtown, into a boulevard. Doing so would open up new housing and commercial opportunities, Jackson asserted, paving the way for higher-income taxpayers to settle into coveted real estate.

 

"We're catching a little flak, but we're going to make it happen," said Jackson, aware that residents there and in the northwestern suburbs dread the thought of a slower commute and that the project has not yet secured the funding needed to become reality."

 

 

 

 

 

Henry J. Gomez ‏@HenryJGomez 14m

.@JohnKasich back in Cleveland tomorrow to announce West Shoreway plan with @FrankGJackson. It's one of Jackson's pet projects. #2014

Go Frank Go!

 

I like the way he's working on the Governor.

 

Now if he could only convince him to give up some rail money!

Invitation for tomorrow's event:

 

You are invited to attend a special celebration of

Cleveland’s Lakefront West Project

hosted by:

Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich and

Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson

 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

12:30 p.m.

 

Upper Edgewater Park

(Follow Cliff Dr. to the right just off West Blvd.)

Cleveland, OH 44102

 

The event will be held rain or shine.

Parking is available at the park.

 

Henry J. Gomez ‏@HenryJGomez 14m

.@JohnKasich back in Cleveland tomorrow to announce West Shoreway plan with @FrankGJackson. It's one of Jackson's pet projects. #2014

 

My fingers are crossed for something truly transformative.

Henry J. Gomez ‏@HenryJGomez 14m

.@JohnKasich back in Cleveland tomorrow to announce West Shoreway plan with @FrankGJackson. It's one of Jackson's pet projects. #2014

 

My fingers are crossed for something truly transformative.

 

It's an election year for the mayor and next year is an election year for the Governor.  It may be big because if it's just a token effort that may not get these guys the impact they are looking for from this project.

Henry J. Gomez ‏@HenryJGomez 14m

.@JohnKasich back in Cleveland tomorrow to announce West Shoreway plan with @FrankGJackson. It's one of Jackson's pet projects. #2014

 

My fingers are crossed for something truly transformative.

 

It's an election year for the mayor and next year is an election year for the Governor.  It may be big because if it's just a token effort that may not get these guys the impact they are looking for from this project.

 

Kasich/Jackson 2014!!!

More...........

 

http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/CityofCleveland/Home/PressRelease/prdetail?id=14743

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 23, 2013

News Advisory

 

Mayor Jackson and Gov. Kasich to Discuss New Plan to Complete the Lakefront West Project

 

CLEVELAND – On Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 12:30 p.m., Mayor Frank G. Jackson and Governor John Kasich will share details of a new funding plan to complete the Lakefront West Project.

 

WHO: Mayor Frank G. Jackson

Governor John Kasich, State of Ohio

Other distinguished guests

WHAT: Talk about new funding plan to complete the Lakefront West Project along Cleveland’s West Shoreway

WHEN: Tuesday, September 24, 2013, 12:30 p.m.

Please arrive by 12:15 p.m.

WHERE: Upper Edgewater Park

(Follow Cliff Drive to the right, just off of West Boulevard)

Cleveland, OH 44102

- 30 -

 

Henry J. Gomez ‏@HenryJGomez 14m

.@JohnKasich back in Cleveland tomorrow to announce West Shoreway plan with @FrankGJackson. It's one of Jackson's pet projects. #2014

 

My fingers are crossed for something truly transformative.

 

It's an election year for the mayor and next year is an election year for the Governor.  It may be big because if it's just a token effort that may not get these guys the impact they are looking for from this project.

 

Kasich/Jackson 2014!!!

 

:drunk: :drunk: :drunk: :drunk: :drunk: :drunk:

this project is expected to receive funding from Turnpike bonds.

 

 

 

"Jackson marveled at views of downtown from Edgewater, where stately mansions overlook Lake Erie. He used the moment to plug his proposal to turn the West Shoreway, a short stretch of freeway connecting the neighborhood to downtown, into a boulevard. Doing so would open up new housing and commercial opportunities, Jackson asserted, paving the way for higher-income taxpayers to settle into coveted real estate.

 

 

Interesting. I wonder if the plans really will allow for parcels to be developed along the new boulevard with driveways as Jackson hints. Or if this is just the same old shoreway with landscaped medians.

I know that there are posters here on UO who have been very critical of Jackson, and I agree that there are things he could work on (it always drove me nuts how quiet he was all the time.  I feel a politician needs to be out talking about their ideas), but there has been more done in Cleveland under his watch to improve the city that any other mayor I can think of.  He gets planning, for the most part.  Yes, the casino issues leave a bad taste, but overall, he gets it.  Or at least the combination of Jackson/Fitzgerald gets it.

Some great historical images of the West Shoreway here:

 

http://images.ulib.csuohio.edu/cdm/search/searchterm/bulkley!jpeg%20jpg!bulkley%20blvd/field/all!format!all/mode/all!any!all/conn/and!and!and/order/nosort/ad/asc

 

Many places look identical today to the way it did in 1940. I wonder why pedestrian elements were left out way back then? It seems that would have been pretty much standard in that era.

I know that there are posters here on UO who have been very critical of Jackson, and I agree that there are things he could work on (it always drove me nuts how quiet he was all the time.  I feel a politician needs to be out talking about their ideas), but there has been more done in Cleveland under his watch to improve the city that any other mayor I can think of.  He gets planning, for the most part.  Yes, the casino issues leave a bad taste, but overall, he gets it.  Or at least the combination of Jackson/Fitzgerald gets it.

 

A good discussion for this thread

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,28156.0.html

Some great historical images of the West Shoreway here:

 

http://images.ulib.csuohio.edu/cdm/search/searchterm/bulkley!jpeg%20jpg!bulkley%20blvd/field/all!format!all/mode/all!any!all/conn/and!and!and/order/nosort/ad/asc

 

Many places look identical today to the way it did in 1940. I wonder why pedestrian elements were left out way back then? It seems that would have been pretty much standard in that era.

 

That was near the beginning of it all.  The idea that everyone would drive everywhere was futuristic, and controlled access highways with no pedestrians allowed was the lynchpin of that future.

this project is expected to receive funding from Turnpike bonds.

 

 

 

"Jackson marveled at views of downtown from Edgewater, where stately mansions overlook Lake Erie. He used the moment to plug his proposal to turn the West Shoreway, a short stretch of freeway connecting the neighborhood to downtown, into a boulevard. Doing so would open up new housing and commercial opportunities, Jackson asserted, paving the way for higher-income taxpayers to settle into coveted real estate.

 

 

Interesting. I wonder if the plans really will allow for parcels to be developed along the new boulevard with driveways as Jackson hints. Or if this is just the same old shoreway with landscaped medians.

 

Where's this hinted at now?

So, this is really, really going to happen?  Really?  (hopeful disbelief)

 

State to cover $3 million of Cleveland's $7 million cost for West Shoreway's makeover

 

By JAY MILLER

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20130924/FREE/130929923

 

 

"The Lakefront West project, which city leaders struggled to fund for more than a decade, will bring the water closer for residents of the city's West Side neighborhoods. It will turn the 2.5-mile, 50-mph freeway between West Boulevard and the Main Avenue Bridge into a divided, tree-lined, 35-mph boulevard.

 

It will eliminate several freeway interchanges and make it easier for West Side residents to cross the Shoreway and reach the lakefront.

 

The mayor and the governor actually were unveiling phase two of the project. Already underway are tunnels under the roadway from the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood to Edgewater Park and a new, $35 million section of West 73rd Street that will extend the street under the Shoreway to Edgewater Park."

According to the article this is going for Phase II.

 

Based on these documents, the biggest thing I see about phase II is the elimination of the Edgewater exit.

 

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/LakefrontWest/Documents/Projectupdate_022310_FINAL.pdf

But will it get rid of the Edgewater Park interchange??

West Shoreway conversion to boulevard with Lake Erie access gets funding, is set to begin in the spring

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A decade-long push to link Cleveland's West Side to the lakefront has the final piece of funding to complete the project.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Gov. John Kasich held a news conference today at Edgewater Park overlooking  Lake Erie to announce $20 million in state funding to turn the Shoreway into a lower-speed, tree-lined boulevard. Construction on revamping the roadway is to start next spring.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/09/west_shoreway_conversion_to_bo.html#incart_river_default

West Shoreway conversion to boulevard with Lake Erie access gets funding, is set to begin in the spring

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A decade-long push to link Cleveland's West Side to the lakefront has the final piece of funding to complete the project.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Gov. John Kasich held a news conference today at Edgewater Park overlooking  Lake Erie to announce $20 million in state funding to turn the Shoreway into a lower-speed, tree-lined boulevard. Construction on revamping the roadway is to start next spring.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/09/west_shoreway_conversion_to_bo.html#incart_river_default

 

Wow amen!  That is one small step for Cleveland, one giant leap for our lakefront!

 

Let the neighborhood connection begin!

Very glad to see this finally happening after over a decade of talk

One of the good aspects of election year.

That Crains article is very confusing.  There are several portions of the Shoreway project, currently the 73rd interchange, and others proposed, only 1 of which is the actual boulevard conversion. 

 

"Cleveland Councilman Matt Zone,whose ward encompasses about two-thirds of the  Shoreway,  recounted that he attended his first meeting on the long-percolating project in December 2001.

 

As it became more of a reality, it helped spur some $500 million in development completed or underway in the near West Side -- projects driven in part by anticipation of better connections between neighborhoods and the lakefront, Zone said.

 

I'd love to see an accounting recap of that $500 million quote...

^I have been confused by this project from day one.  Maybe it is because it has changed over the years (or maybe not, I am just not sure) due to funding issues.

 

My current confusion is over the "interchanges" (which in my mind don't equate to a 35 mph boulevard...but rather intersections would).  Crain's article states the project will eliminate several interchanges.  But I believed I asked many months ago and was told that the work on 73rd is actually the constuction of an interchange.  So which is it?  Are they building interchanges or eliminating them?

The existing 73rd work will tie into the existing on/off ramp.

 

The exit for edgewater.  Not sure what if anything will be reconfigured for phase II through X

I have mixed feelings about this project. I want something new for this road, but I'm not sure a tree lined boulevard is the best idea.

 

This road is known for iconic views of downtown Cleveland and sweeping panoramas of Lake Erie. Why then is planting trees which will ultimately block these views for pedestrians and cars alike lauded as such an improvement?

 

It's ironic that one of the few roads in Cleveland that you wouldn't want to be tree lined will be getting tree lined.

 

I wonder if anyone has explored other landscaping options that won't hinder views, but are still aesthetically pleasing? The tree lined palm tree boulevard works in warmer climates in enhancing views (tall slim trunks, no bushy branches), but how well does a tree lined boulevard work in northern climes when you want to enhance the views that already exist?

I wouldn't worry about the trees.  I doubt they'll be planted closely enough to block any views.  After a few years, the canopy will be up high enough that it won't block a driver's view of the lake or downtown from a car seat.

 

Last time I checked, there was a huge component of this project that reconfigured the interchange at W25th & W28th.  It was going to have all traffic get on & off at 28th, creating a nice development opportunity for the wasted space at 25th, and eliminating the dangerous on-ramp at 28th which merges from the left.  I haven't seen anything about this interchange, and in a previous meeting, someone from ODOT stated this was a higher priority than the actual boulevard conversion...

I think a tree-lined boulevard is a great thing. Coming down the hill from Lake Avenue will preserve the vistas, as will the many turns east of the Westinghouse Curve.

 

Now if we could just get rid of that bridge past Browns stadium....

I think a tree-lined boulevard is a great thing. Coming down the hill from Lake Avenue will preserve the vistas, as will the many turns east of the Westinghouse Curve.

 

Now if we could just get rid of that bridge past Browns stadium....

 

Good point, there are slight, but noticeable elevation changes around some of those curves which will preserve some views. The trees will make for some better framing in spots for sure, and some areas will have blocked views. Give and take I suppose.

Is there going to be any traffic calming?  Will there be any intersections?  If you keep a wide road with no intersections (only freeway interchanges), how do you expect people to not still go 60 MPH?  They won't be able to write enough tickets to slow people down.

I think a tree-lined boulevard is a great thing. Coming down the hill from Lake Avenue will preserve the vistas, as will the many turns east of the Westinghouse Curve.

 

Now if we could just get rid of that bridge past Browns stadium....

 

Good point, there are slight, but noticeable elevation changes around some of those curves which will preserve some views. The trees will make for some better framing in spots for sure, and some areas will have blocked views. Give and take I suppose.

 

I think the views are more interesting when they're only available sometimes.  You come over a hill or peek between trees and "wow, there's downtown" rather than it just always being in view.  Kind of like approaching Cincinnati from the south on I75/71, or coming through a tunnel to downtown Pittsburgh from the west.

here is the "plan" 

 

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/LakefrontWest/Pages/default.aspx

 

always subject to change.

 

 

This is how W. 73rd will tie into the shoreway

 

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/LakefrontWest/Documents/86481_Renderings.pdf

This is how W. 73rd will tie into the shoreway

 

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/LakefrontWest/Documents/86481_Renderings.pdf

 

Wow, that's unfortunate. It's pretty obvious this road is a compromise between two sides who could not win the argument : "Should it be a boulevard or a freeway?" So.... "Gosh, how about both," said some bureaucrat we'll probably never meet.

 

As the old saying goes, "A camel is a thoroughbred designed by a government committee."

Well that was when the funding wasn't there for the rest of it.

 

It almost seems a shame to destroy that bridge, overpass, underpass?  even if/when a BLVD.  that thing is built like the Romans did it, too outlast the empire.  It looks like the bridges/overpasses/underpasses along MLK through the cultural gardens.

 

So even when/if it becomes a 35 MPH tree lined BLVD it might be nice.  The road will still be as wide as Clifton, no?  The fewer traffic lights necessary the better I think.  I say this as somebody who lives directly above this on the bluff.

 

The pedestrian underpasses they did at Lake/76th/65th, what they are doing with 73rd means the first actual intersection (if it becomes one) will be at W. 54th. 

 

Even with the 35 MPH speed limit I don't see any real impediment to speed before 54th st.  The real test will come when then turn over the land East of that Over pass between the bluff and the road to a developer.  If you google map it and zoom in, there is a chunk of land between there and the Westinghouse building that will be developed sooner or later.  Once those driveways/entrance onto the shoreway exist you might see a traffic light around 65th or so.

Its an improvement.  I don't think it will be successful as a boulevard until there are at grade intersections.  If I had to pick one, I would say W. 65th and the shoreway would be awesome.

 

But, the real estate in Ohio City is some of the most expensive in the city.  Removing exit ramps, even a few, is a step in the right direction.