I've also wanted to see that -- have the 55 come down the ramps and stop at the intersection so people can either go into Edgewater/Wendy parks in one direction or up into Battery Park via the new street pr the old W65th ped/bike underpass.

 

And... I'd love to see the 55 exit the Shoreway at W46 EB and enter it at W25 WB and take the Detroit-Superior bridge into downtown. This adds faster connections to Ohio City with a stop on the 55 in each direction at W25.

 

"@ssuttell: Riders on @GCRTA's 55 route will see a lot of @CLE_State's name.

http://t.co/ncQPV91MHP http://t.co/Uc2qzLc4y4"

KJP, do you know why some of the medians have a dip section towards the middle in the curb they poured?

No

I think the dips were a safety feature so that emergency vehicles could cross the medians where there once were intersections to access homes down those streets.

KJP, do you know why some of the medians have a dip section towards the middle in the curb they poured?

I think the dips were a safety feature so that emergency vehicles could cross the medians where there once were intersections to access homes down those streets.

 

Oh I see what you mean. Yes, WestBLVD is correct. Note that the dips are at intersections with sidestreets.

Thanks guys! It's been bugging me. That totally makes sense.

I'm not really understanding the CSU Line.  Is there a map of the  new line?  I see the station list on the Enhance Clifton website, but what happens East of 102nd St?  Will the CSU Line extend into Rocky River or will that be a different route using the same corridor? 

I've assumed that west of Lakewood it just stays on what was the #55 route. But I never ride it west, only the Lakewood-to-Downtown portion.

I'm not really understanding the CSU Line.  Is there a map of the  new line?  I see the station list on the Enhance Clifton website, but what happens East of 102nd St?  Will the CSU Line extend into Rocky River or will that be a different route using the same corridor?

 

I believe this is just simply taking place of the 55/55f. The 55f has a small window of service during rush hour and starts at Crocker Park. The 55 which runs all day begins at Westgate.

 

What I'd really like to know is if the 55f will have bigger window of operation.  The line only runs so early in the morning that it doesn't even seem worthwhile.

It's just the 55/55F. It runs every 5-10 minutes during rush hours and every 30 minutes throughout the day, hourly in the evening until 10 pm.

So it's like an on-street direct-service busway?  The CSU vehicles are going to alternate between Westgate, Crocker Park and Bay Village?

http://www.riderta.com/routes/55-55F

 

Here's the map and schedule

So it's like an on-street direct-service busway?  The CSU vehicles are going to alternate between Westgate, Crocker Park and Bay Village?

 

Operationally, very little will change with the way the current 55 is operated. The biggest differences are that Clifton Boulevard in Cleveland got a streetscape out of it and RTA passengers got nicer, bigger buses and waiting shelters.

http://www.riderta.com/routes/55-55F

 

Here's the map and schedule

 

I know the 55 schedule but I can't imagine it'll be exactly the same, otherwise what's the point of signal priority and bus-only lanes?  Are they removing stops in between the enhanced shelters?  Are they adding it to the Rapid Maps?  I thought they were just improving service on the 55, but with them calling it BRT and selling naming rights has me all sorts of confused all of a sudden.

I know the 55 schedule but I can't imagine it'll be exactly the same, otherwise what's the point of signal priority and bus-only lanes?  Are they removing stops in between the enhanced shelters?  Are they adding it to the Rapid Maps?  I thought they were just improving service on the 55, but with them calling it BRT and selling naming rights has me all sorts of confused all of a sudden.

 

Signal priority won't make a big difference in the overall operation of the corridor as it will only save a few minutes -- assuming the city of Cleveland turns it on. The city hasn't turned on the HealthLine's signal priority system.

 

Calling this a BRT is a stretch. In fact when it was planned, it was referred to as BRT-lite. It's a streetscape project with a strong transit component. And yes, streetscape projects have some definite value as we've seen in Gordon Square, Kamms Corners and elsewhere.

The line only runs so early in the morning that it doesn't even seem worthwhile.

 

Are you referring to the street-side signs regarding the outer, inbound lane being bus-only in the mornings? This isn't much of a change from the prior practice of having no parking in the outer lane inbound during the morning rush, and in the outer lane outbound during the afternoon rush. The new practice only formalizes that a bus lane during the direction of rush hour travel. Many motorists stayed out of the outer lane because they might get caught behind a bus anyway.

 

But the buses start running at 5 a.m., run throughout the day, and continue to 10 pm while sharing the outer lanes with traffic and parked cars outside the rush hours -- same as before.

The line only runs so early in the morning that it doesn't even seem worthwhile.

 

Are you referring to the street-side signs regarding the outer, inbound lane being bus-only in the mornings? This isn't much of a change from the prior practice of having no parking in the outer lane inbound during the morning rush, and in the outer lane outbound during the afternoon rush. The new practice only formalizes that a bus lane during the direction of rush hour travel. Many motorists stayed out of the outer lane because they might get caught behind a bus anyway.

 

But the buses start running at 5 a.m., run throughout the day, and continue to 10 pm while sharing the outer lanes with traffic and parked cars outside the rush hours -- same as before.

 

I was referring to the 55f that runs from Crocker Park, which as I understand it, only has a couple departures with the latest at 6.45 AM.  I was hoping to see that there will be expanded service running from Crocker Park because I'm sure there'd be people will take advantage of the bus later than 6.45 AM.

 

In terms of the dedicated lanes, I think it's a great idea, but I kind of wish it was permanent rather than limited to rush hours.  I have a feeling it'll create confusion for people.

I was referring to the 55f that runs from Crocker Park, which as I understand it, only has a couple departures with the latest at 6.45 AM.  I was hoping to see that there will be expanded service running from Crocker Park because I'm sure there'd be people will take advantage of the bus later than 6.45 AM.

 

Probably. But the western limit of the Enhance Clifton project is West Clifton Road in Lakewood. West of there, no changes are planned.

I finally had a chance to stand in a new shelter on Clifton this morning.  Some observations, white paint and bright lights attract plenty of bugs.  Lots of mosquitoes hanging out waiting for a warm blooded body.  There are still some finishing touches to be done.  It looks like an emergency phone and the "next bus" display are waiting to be installed.  I also think there will be a web camera inside the shelter based on the location of an unfinshed hole in the ceiling.

 

I think RTA needs to take a ride down Clifton and make sure the bus stop signs are correctly located.  I've been dropped off at a sign that no longer has a concrete pad (Edwards Westbound) and also dropped to the treelawn short of the new concrete pad (Cranford Westbound).

 

Lastly, how were the locations of the new shelters determined?  Granted this is just my little slice of Lakewood, but I don't understand why the stop at Edwards Eastbound was removed.  Now the choices are Granger or Westlake, still not very far, but not at a traffic light.  Additionally, the distance from Westlake to Summit is half the distance between Granger and Westlake.  If the goal was to reduce the number of stops, why not leave the Edwards stop and not do Granger and Westlake.  What's done is done, I'm just curious about the reasoning.

Bus-only lane in the direction of rush hour on @GCRTA #EnhanceClifton BRT isn't so bus-only in Lakewood & Cleveland.

^I was driving Eastbound on Clifton around 7:30am and watched a Lakewood Police cruiser follow several cars past several streets in the right lane.  I'm guessing they won't start enforcing the bus lane, right turn only signage until after the section from W. 117 to the Shoreway is completed.

Is there markings denoting that it's bus only?

^ Standard striping to indicate as much and signs

GCRTA police now has law enforcement jurisdiction in the outer lanes. They can ticket driving and parking violations just as local cops can -- and get the revenue too.

Pulling people over for obstructing the bus lane will probably obstruct the bus lane.

 

The irony.

Pulling people over for obstructing the bus lane will probably obstruct the bus lane.

 

The irony.

 

Unless the cop told them to pull into a sidestreet. But enforcement of a new law (a new occasion of enforcing it) sometimes requires short-term pain to achieve long-term behavioral modification.

Pulling people over for obstructing the bus lane will probably obstruct the bus lane.

 

The irony.

 

Unless the cop told them to pull into a sidestreet. But enforcement of a new law (a new occasion of enforcing it) sometimes requires short-term pain to achieve long-term behavioral modification.

 

I know you mention this a lot, but the problem really isn't cars driving in the new bus only lane, but rather the cars that were parked there overnight and have yet to be moved. That's the behavior that really needs to be changed. But with the population on Clifton often short term and rentals, changing behavior is hard when you have a constant new flow of residents; people are going to oversleep their alarms and forget to move their car, have overnight visitors that don't know the parking restrictions, etc. For years these vehicles have always been ticketed, but the problem never got better.

 

I'm all for the bus only lane (because it reduces lane miles), but how much faster will it make the bus? Whenever I ride the 55, it's not as if cars driving in the outermost lane are slowing the busses down.

Cars parked in the outer lane seems to be a bigger problem in Cleveland than it is in Lakewood. The reason is pretty simple -- Lakewood is much more aggressive in enforcing it. But I took that picture a couple days ago because I've never seen so many people drive in the outer lane even when there were no restrictions against it. Admittedly the restrictions are pretty new, but it's almost as if people saw the restrictions and then decided it was a good idea to start to driving in the outer lane.

 

Funny tidbit: All Aboard Ohio got a response via Twitter from someone complaining that Clifton needs more lanes for more cars -- not fewer lanes/cars. I looked at her Twitter profile and she had all sorts of photos of pig races. So maybe city living is something new to her?

Admittedly the restrictions are pretty new, but it's almost as if people saw the restrictions and then decided it was a good idea to start to driving in the outer lane.

 

My theory, drivers are just naturally shying away from the construction, which is currently in the median. I recall last month when the curbs were being done that many cars would avoid the adjacent lanes even when they were open, even opting to stay in the gridlocked inside lanes.

My theory is that drivers are already merging right to avoid the  closed lane that is coming up in about two blocks

^Unfortunately, merging right puts them in a RIGHT TURN ONLY lane.  No one is following the lane markers at W 117 where the two car lanes shift to the right.  It's a mess every morning.  I'm surprised I haven't seen more accidents.

 

Once the construction is complete it will be a moot point.

^Unfortunately, merging right puts them in a RIGHT TURN ONLY lane.  No one is following the lane markers at W 117 where the two car lanes shift to the right.  It's a mess every morning.  I'm surprised I haven't seen more accidents.

 

Once the construction is complete it will be a moot point.

 

There was a wreck this morning.

 

Most of the roadway surface construction will be done soon in preparation for winter. They'll finish up the shelters, median, streetscaping etc in the spring.

Just got this shot from the Lakewood Observer.....wow.

 

http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/images_full_res/3ec5cee8e7cb2a19c757d25120e3ab0b.jpg

Just got this shot from the Lakewood Observer.....wow.

 

http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/images_full_res/3ec5cee8e7cb2a19c757d25120e3ab0b.jpg

 

Yes, on the Lakewood portion three new traffic signs have gone up on every block. I imagine when the construction is done they will be going up on the Cleveland portion:

the buses only in curb lane sign

the sign that says cars can now get in the right hand lane to turn

and a Right turn only except buses sign

 

These are often fairly short blocks, too, which adds to the clutter

Just got this shot from the Lakewood Observer.....wow.

 

http://media.lakewoodobserver.com/images_full_res/3ec5cee8e7cb2a19c757d25120e3ab0b.jpg

 

Such pretty leaves this autumn....

Putting some of the final touches on the Cleveland side before the snow flies in a matter of hours. Goodbye 65 degrees!

 

 

 

 

I,m really impressed by this project.  The brick cross walks, the new curbs, paving, landscaping, bus stop shelters, it really makes the area look much more attractive.  The center median isn't nearly as intrusive as what I thought.  It's actually not even a factor in most places....

agreed. it looks great and something like that is very long overdue.

Are those 'new' street lamps or are they the same ones?

Is now a good time to plant trees?

Is now a good time to plant trees?

 

It's actually the best time for planning perennials like trees and shrubs:

 

http://www.lewisginter.org/news/media-room/fallplanting.php

For the record, the orange barrels have been removed from the through lanes of Clifton boulevard (except for ongoing construction north-side along West 117th). So all lanes are now open. There appears to be some site clean-up to be done, especially some landscaping of seasonal plants. But that will have to spring. Clifton looks great, as she's the grand dame of west-side boulevards once again!

Can someone snap some shots? I'm not local and the only thing I'm picturing right now is that photo with all of the signs.

Can someone snap some shots? I'm not local and the only thing I'm picturing right now is that photo with all of the signs.

 

See my photos on the prior page. It looks just like that, minus the barrels.

Can someone snap some shots? I'm not local and the only thing I'm picturing right now is that photo with all of the signs.

 

See my photos on the prior page. It looks just like that, minus the barrels.

 

Hmm...I guess I was hoping for more. It seems like a bunch of random upgrades that collectively fail to create a sense of place. I think I set my expectations too high maybe. Oh well.

Wow, you got all that from a couple of photos?  You're good!

Can someone snap some shots? I'm not local and the only thing I'm picturing right now is that photo with all of the signs.

 

See my photos on the prior page. It looks just like that, minus the barrels.

 

Hmm...I guess I was hoping for more. It seems like a bunch of random upgrades that collectively fail to create a sense of place. I think I set my expectations too high maybe. Oh well.

 

You should come visit.  I feel it's done wonders for the street, and can already envision the rennovations and development that will follow, starting with the corner of 117th.

LOL. That's exactly why I asked for more photos.

I think everything turned out nicely, something that was desperately needed for years. The median looks and feels much smaller now in its completed state, versus any of the designs shown to the public beforehand, which isn't a bad thing. It's nice that 7 lanes of asphalt are now broken up and the road doesn't feel so highway-esque. We'll see how nice it looks in the spring with landscaping and with leaves on the trees. I think this area will really shine next summer and especially once the development at 117th and Clifton is completed.

 

The photo of all the signs posted on Clifton now in Lakewood doesn't look as bad in person as it does in the photo. My only complaint is the Cleveland State Line branding. It just seems a little over the top and kind of confusing. It just seems unusual to see this kind of branding for a bus line that doesn't specifically serve only a college campus's buildings, parking lots, etc. Case operates their own shuttle bus in University Circle, and that's what I'd associate this type of branding with.

I think everything turned out nicely, something that was desperately needed for years. The median looks and feels much smaller now in its completed state, versus any of the designs shown to the public beforehand, which isn't a bad thing. It's nice that 7 lanes of asphalt are now broken up and the road doesn't feel so highway-esque. We'll see how nice it looks in the spring with landscaping and with leaves on the trees. I think this area will really shine next summer and especially once the development at 117th and Clifton is completed.

 

The photo of all the signs posted on Clifton now in Lakewood doesn't look as bad in person as it does in the photo. My only complaint is the Cleveland State Line branding. It just seems a little over the top and kind of confusing. It just seems unusual to see this kind of branding for a bus line that doesn't specifically serve only a college campus's buildings, parking lots, etc. Case operates their own shuttle bus in University Circle, and that's what I'd associate this type of branding with.

 

Well, at least the final terminus is at Cleveland State's campus...

 

I don't have a problem with this particular branding (albeit I'm a bit biased being an employee of CSU), but I don't really like sponsorship of transit lines in general. I've never been a fan of the "HealthLine" name. But hey, if it brings in extra revenue, whatever..