^ Any idea how this will affect on-street parking?

 

No change. You can't park in Clifton's curb lanes in the rush hours now. That situation will not change.

 

Read more:

http://www.enhanceclifton.com/

Great news!  I hope they keep the funding coming to get this started ASAP.  The current condition of the roadway will not survive past another winter!

 

It's time for Jay Westbrook to show some muscle and find some funding.....

The resurfacing of Clifton is to start March 2013.

 

This bus lane money is another component.

 

I'm not sure how they are funding the median, but the resurfacing is all I'm really concerned about.

 

Great news!  I hope they keep the funding coming to get this started ASAP.  The current condition of the roadway will not survive past another winter!

 

It's time for Jay Westbrook to show some muscle and find some funding.....

 

They were seeking $5 million from ODOT, but were denied. They got $9.5 million from NOACA. How much more funding is needed to complete the project?

 

BTW, I consider's NOACA's action to be a bit of a middle-finger to ODOT.... So:

 

1. ODOT denies funding for this project.

2. ODOT tells MPOs like NOACA to spend more money (presumably for projects that add lane-miles and increase VMTs so ODOT can get more gas tax revenues). And

3. NOACA turns around and puts a bus-load of funding into a project that will actually reduce lane-miles (per hour) for cars and make transit more attractive.

 

So you how like me now, ODOT??

 

In terms of more funding, I was referring to this quote in the article (so timing is affected):

 

"According to Cheryl Onesky with NOACA, Cleveland expects to start the project in January 2013 but may still need to find more funds before they can begin the project on that timetable."

 

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/NOACA-allots-funds-for-West-73-underpass-Clifton-bus-lanes#ixzz217XgrmbL

 

And I wonder how much more they need to do everything they want. Anyone know? And do they have enough to start construction?

I know this could have happened no matter where a drunk driver is on the loose, but as a resident of the Clifton neighborhood I can testify that we need traffic calming elements.  There are far too many people who race off the Shoreway and continue on their merry way at 50+ mph.  Its not surprising that this guy was caught off guard by the street being closed.

 

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/bond-set-at-150K-for-driver-accused-of-killing-1-injuring-3-others-at-cleveland-street-fair

 

 

Wow, that is terrible

It is terrible, but the crash was caused because the driver turned EAST onto Clifton from 117th.  He wasn't coming from Cleveland or the Shoreway. 

 

For the record, the Cleveland section of the street is in such rough condition, I can't believe many people are able to drive anywhere close to 50mph on it

That guy was wasted and not paying attention. 

 

There was a vigil in the Charter One lot on W116 and Clifton tonight replete with a news truck.

 

Calming elements would be nice.  So would increasing the timers on the crossings since they are far too short for an elderly person to make it across safely.  I'm hoping that the lights will be changed as the project proceeds but it's really an element of the street that needs adjusted now.

 

Officially released in the Cudell newsletter on Friday 10/12/2012.

 

Clifton Boulevard Public Meeting

 

On Thursday, November 8 at 6:30 PM at Alcott School on Baltic Road, the city of Cleveland, RTA and ODOT will hold discussion on proposed plans for transit enhancements on Clifton Boulevard in Cleveland.  All are invited to share ideas and comment on proposals for enhanced waiting environments, landscaped medians, traffic signalization upgrades and resurfacing options.  Call Councilman Westbrook at 216.664.4230 or Anita at Cudell at 216.228.4383 for further information.

Thanks!

 

BTW, some detail about the project:

http://www.noaca.org/CUYRTACliftonBlvdTransitEnhanc.html

http://www.noaca.org/res2012033.pdf (4MB - shows recent funding breakdown)

Thanks!

 

BTW, some detail about the project:

http://www.noaca.org/CUYRTACliftonBlvdTransitEnhanc.html

http://www.noaca.org/res2012033.pdf (4MB - shows recent funding breakdown)

 

I found this at the end of the first link.  They really need to make the lights longer.  You practically need to run to get to the other side which does not bode well for the elderly or infirm.

 

"Committee Review:

 

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council

Clifton Blvd. is currently, and will continue to be, heavily used by pedestrians. The project sponsor should install countdown pedestrian signals at all signalized intersections, and also make sure that there are enough marked crossings to prevent jaywalking.

 

The route is also currently used by commuter bicyclists. The project sponsor should consider marking the lanes as bike and bus lanes. If this is deemed not feasible, the project sponsor should make it clear that bicyclists are not allowed to use the lane during its restricted hours."

 

I have noticed more and more bicycles on Clifton over the last year or two.  Not complaining at all!  :clap:

I have noticed more and more bicycles on Clifton over the last year or two.  Not complaining at all!  :clap:

 

Yeah, there are tons of bikes on there now.  But this does not bode well for people riding to work if I'm reading this correctly.

 

"the project sponsor should make it clear that bicyclists are not allowed to use the lane during its restricted hours."

A $9.5 million enhancement project for Clifton Boulevard is back on the table, with construction planned for the first half of 2013.

 

Updates will be offered at two public meetings:

* 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, Louisa May Alcott School, 10308 Baltic Road, Cleveland.

* 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, Lakewood Women's Club Pavilion, 14532 Lake Ave., Lakewood Park.

 

The project is a joint effort of RTA, the City of Cleveland and the City of Lakewood.

 

Just got back from the meeting. Looks like this project is a go with construction starting in spring. Lots of questions yet to be ironed out, with designs online shortly.

 

Highlights include brick, glass, and pitched roof RTA bus shelters on Clifton which look great.

 

The median will force lots of U-Turns on Clifton which will inevitably be problematic for many. Audience seemed to raise concerns regarding trash collecting in median and snow plows causing rapid degradation citing 117th street as a prime example of an enhancement project failing 2 years later.

 

Project *should* be done by end of 2013.

I went as well.  Full plans should be up in the next week here: http://www.enhanceclifton.com/

 

No Meidians in Lakewood

Shelters East bound will be fully lit, have countdown to next bus electronic signs, cameras connected to RTA HQ.

 

No bike concessions are being made.

 

 

 

I was there as well. 

 

Not too many complaints about the lack of left turns at median points, but enough to note.    I find it funny that the people complaining about them seem to fear change.  They certainly aren't stockbrokers, lawyers or neurosurgeons who could maybe argue that the extra 30 seconds to make a Uturn or alter their approach is costing them money.

 

My other favorite commenter of the night was a nice little lady worried about the snow plows piling up snow in her yard.  Uhhhhh....they do that already.  And having a median in spots is going to actually lower the volume of snow coming your way.  :)

 

There were also some complaints about the bus-only lane during rush hours.  Other than this the traffic patterns will remain mostly unchanged.  If anything I'd like to tell the dissenters is:  this could be temporary.  It's not like we are installing a permanent indestructible bus lane.  It's a paint stripe.  If after a year we all decide the bus-only lane is a dismal failure, it's just a matter of returning the lane to its current condition (parking all day except during designated rush hours).

 

I personally think Lakewood is going to be jealous of this once it is installed.    Cleveland will be calmed, and Lakewood will continue to have the 7 lane freeway, broken up by lots of school zones.

 

 

My other favorite commenter of the night was a nice little lady worried about the snow plows piling up snow in her yard.  Uhhhhh....they do that already.  And having a median in spots is going to actually lower the volume of snow coming your way.  :)

 

We own on Clifton and this was my initial comment when I found out about the project.  Most of the issues we have with snow is the pile in the apron from the trucks.

 

Speaking of aprons, I'm still wondering if we will be assessed for the new ones?

 

I personally think Lakewood is going to be jealous of this once it is installed.

 

I told my wife when we got home exactly this.  Imagine you have never been to the city and come in on the Shoreway and see these trees in the median and nice shelters etc. Then you cross 117 and the medians disappear.  One might think "what happened to that nice area we just left".  Which is pretty much the opposite of what most people who live in the region perceive of the two areas.

 

Also, one of Westbrooks comments earlier seemed to indicate that he felt that the Shoreway conversion was a matter of when not if.  Just my interpretation.

Glad I moved out before this got underway.  I hope Lake Avenue enjoys traffic.

Glad I moved out before this got underway.  I hope Lake Avenue enjoys traffic.

 

You lost me again.

 

I thought I heard at the meeting that parking would remain the same as it is now with N side parking in the morning and S side parking in the evening.  In addition, the comment was made that cars would still be able to traverse the outside lanes free from repercussions.  The RTA people indicated this in direct response to a question about cars getting ticketed in outside lanes during restricted hours.  The reply was that the use of these lanes would not change from how they are currently.

 

 

We own on Clifton and this was my initial comment when I found out about the project.  Most of the issues we have with snow is the pile in the apron from the trucks.

 

Speaking of aprons, I'm still wondering if we will be assessed for the new ones?

 

 

 

My impression is that the aprons and curb are a part of the financing, while the sidewalks would be done after as an assessed improvement.  I would write to the Councilman and suggest that why don't we just get this all done at once?  May even save money by having the same contractors, who are already on site, pour new sidewalks while there is already a mess.

Glad I moved out before this got underway.  I hope Lake Avenue enjoys traffic.

 

The traffic pattern will remain unaltered upon completion, save for the bus only rush hour lane.  As a resident and frequent user during rush hour, I can testify to the fact that the outer lane is not used much anyway, because drivers don't want to get stuck behind buses.  With the new signal timing things should actually improve.

 

The only concern may be the timing with the innerbelt bridge still being completed.  Clifton sees quite a bit of detouring traffic from 90 right now.

My impression is that the aprons and curb are a part of the financing, while the sidewalks would be done after as an assessed improvement.  I would write to the Councilman and suggest that why don't we just get this all done at once?  May even save money by having the same contractors, who are already on site, pour new sidewalks while there is already a mess.

 

Ahh thanks.

 

My wife's comments RE: bikes was that they should just widen the sidewalks and make a bike lane like they do in other countries.  In other words, a wide sidewalk with a line for bikes only.

 

OT: I did a walk through of the Louisa Mae.  They completely gutted that place and it looks really nice now.  The principal was beaming.

My impression is that the aprons and curb are a part of the financing, while the sidewalks would be done after as an assessed improvement.  I would write to the Councilman and suggest that why don't we just get this all done at once?  May even save money by having the same contractors, who are already on site, pour new sidewalks while there is already a mess.

 

Ahh thanks.

 

My wife's comments RE: bikes was that they should just widen the sidewalks and make a bike lane like they do in other countries.  In other words, a wide sidewalk with a line for bikes only.

 

OT: I did a walk through of the Louisa Mae.  They completely gutted that place and it looks really nice now.  The principal was beaming.

 

I was thinking the same thing.  Just pick one side of the street even and make that sidewalk slightly larger to accommodate bikes.  I'm sympathetic to the cause--but let's face it Clifton has been for the past 50+ years just a freeway with stoplights on it.  It's hardly a safe bicycle route during rush hour.  I'm all for the wide sidewalk, or making sure Detroit and Lake Ave get the lane the bicyclists need.

 

Thought the same thing on the school--i hadn't been in there for a few years since voting in person (I mainly do absentee due to my travel schedule).  It is nicer than most suburban schools I've been to recently!

I'm all for the wide sidewalk, or making sure Detroit and Lake Ave get the lane the bicyclists need.

 

I believe that Detroit is getting a bike lane from Lakewood the whole way to Downtown.  I'm too lazy too look up a citation.

Glad I moved out before this got underway.  I hope Lake Avenue enjoys traffic.

 

Seems to me you lost the right to bitch about this project when you moved away. Can't you just be happy that you've improved your life and ours by moving without having to instruct us as to the error of our ways for designing the neighborhood how we want it? That's what the public meeting was about, and the people have spoken. You may be confusing this project with the West Shoreway, but that's another project for another thread. It is completely unrelated to the Enhance Clifton project.

 

Nothing on Clifton is changing traffic-wise except the installation of a median in Cleveland. Got bad news for ya -- the city of Cleveland also just installed a median on Lake Avenue just west of West Boulevard. It's a short one, but it's intended to calm traffic coming off the Shoreway on to Lake at freeway speeds. It appears to be having the intended effect. I'm sure neighborhoods residents, especially those walking and riding their bikes to Edgewater Park are happy for this. A few car potatoes might not like it, but they're just passing through with their cars strapped to their ever-larger asses.

 

 

I'm all for the wide sidewalk, or making sure Detroit and Lake Ave get the lane the bicyclists need.

 

I believe that Detroit is getting a bike lane from Lakewood the whole way to Downtown.  I'm too lazy too look up a citation.

 

I was at a staff meeting at the City Planning Commission when the plans for the bike lane on Detroit were laid out in front of us. It will happen.

I'm definitely excited for this project, but I do have my reservations.

 

The success of the project is all in the execution. If we get a bunch of sapling trees in the middle of Clifton, it will take decades before the trees in the median match the scale of those in the tree lawns. I'm really hoping they plant the most mature trees that are feasible, otherwise the median will look out of place for a long time. The trees they planted on the side of West 117th are a joke and barely clinging to life.

 

My biggest concern is the sumac groundcover. This is going to collect trash and debris very quickly. If it were grass, most would just blow away, but the leaves and "spindly" character of this plant will trap anything that blows its way. It will probably be up to residents to go out into the median and spruce it up.

 

I was also concerned that we are losing stone curbs for concrete curbs. How is concrete better and nicer than stone? Concrete will start to crumble much faster, but one of the speakers assured someone that was not the case.

 

Hands down the best aspect is the RTA shelters. They will look beautiful and add an extra touch to the street.

 

I really would have liked to have seen a pedestrian component to this project. I would love to have seen all new sidewalks with pedestrian level lighting. You could have put in stunning old gas lamp replicas at every street corner.

 

The only bottleneck issue that I see will be the West Blvd turn lane. The cars waiting to turn here always go beyond the marked turn lane into the striped area. This striped area will now be a median which will force cars making a left hand turn to line up into the other lane of traffic. The outer lane here will now be bus only, so for cars exiting the shoreway, you'll likely only have one through lane of traffic at this point during peak rush hour which could cause a bit more back-up.

 

It'll be interesting to see how the U-turns play out. You'll need much more time to complete a U-turn and I'm not sure the breaks in traffic at peak hours will allow for these safely. I'm also wondering if 2 lanes of traffic is wide enough to make a U-turn, especially if there are cars parked in the outer lane. Also where does one actually make the U-turn? If there is a turn lane for W 103, does one get in the turn lane right where the median ends and do the U-turn there, or do they make the U-turn at the actual intersection for W 103?

 

Hands down best comment of the night was when someone asked, "How much quicker will a bus get downtown with the new design?" RTA was unable to provide a number. "Wait, you've spent a million dollars to study this project and you can't even tell us this? Show us the math!" absolutely priceless! Made my entire week.

Glad I moved out before this got underway.  I hope Lake Avenue enjoys traffic.

 

The traffic pattern will remain unaltered upon completion, save for the bus only rush hour lane.  As a resident and frequent user during rush hour, I can testify to the fact that the outer lane is not used much anyway, because drivers don't want to get stuck behind buses.  With the new signal timing things should actually improve.

 

The only concern may be the timing with the innerbelt bridge still being completed.  Clifton sees quite a bit of detouring traffic from 90 right now.

 

I'm actually glad this project will be taking place. It will really "curb" all the unnecessary cut through I-90 rush hour commuters. If you live far away in the suburbs and are trying to use this residential area as a quick route home, sorry those days are numbered.

Not clear how the traffic pattern remains unaltered by a median that complicates left turns, and we've been promised signal timing before.  I don't think the bus lane is a big deal, but for the same reason I don't see why it's necessary.  Flexibility is a good thing.

 

This is not about people who live far away in the suburbs.  And I would not get overly excited about screwing up someone else's trip to work.

Not clear how the traffic pattern remains unaltered by a median that complicates left turns, and we've been promised signal timing before.  I don't think the bus lane is a big deal, but for the same reason I don't see why it's necessary.  Flexibility is a good thing.

 

This is not about people who live far away in the suburbs.  And I would not get overly excited about screwing up someone else's trip to work.

 

I was mostly referring to the fact that this will be under construction for the better part of 2013 which should remove all unnecessary traffic for the construction phase. I'm hoping people get comfortable with other routes once this is complete making it a quieter street.

 

Only W 102 and W 108 will be cut off by median. Instead of making a left at either streets, residents will turn left on Baltic then right onto their street. We are talking seconds of added drive time.

Glad I moved out before this got underway.  I hope Lake Avenue enjoys traffic.

 

Seems to me you lost the right to bitch about this project when you moved away. Can't you just be happy that you've improved your life and ours by moving without having to instruct us as to the error of our ways for designing the neighborhood how we want it? That's what the public meeting was about, and the people have spoken. You may be confusing this project with the West Shoreway, but that's another project for another thread. It is completely unrelated to the Enhance Clifton project.

 

Nothing on Clifton is changing traffic-wise except the installation of a median in Cleveland. Got bad news for ya -- the city of Cleveland also just installed a median on Lake Avenue just west of West Boulevard. It's a short one, but it's intended to calm traffic coming off the Shoreway on to Lake at freeway speeds. It appears to be having the intended effect. I'm sure neighborhoods residents, especially those walking and riding their bikes to Edgewater Park are happy for this. A few car potatoes might not like it, but they're just passing through with their cars strapped to their ever-larger asses.

 

 

I'm all for the wide sidewalk, or making sure Detroit and Lake Ave get the lane the bicyclists need.

 

I believe that Detroit is getting a bike lane from Lakewood the whole way to Downtown.  I'm too lazy too look up a citation.

 

I was at a staff meeting at the City Planning Commission when the plans for the bike lane on Detroit were laid out in front of us. It will happen.'

 

car potatoes, ha ha.

 

Not clear how the traffic pattern remains unaltered by a median that complicates left turns, and we've been promised signal timing before.  I don't think the bus lane is a big deal, but for the same reason I don't see why it's necessary.  Flexibility is a good thing.

 

This is not about people who live far away in the suburbs.  And I would not get overly excited about screwing up someone else's trip to work.

 

if you don't live there why do you care? you make it seem as if they are spending your money.

 

so concerned about someone's trip to work, yet have no formal traffic planning experience, yet offer your opinion on it anyway. the flexibility come not from the design of a single road but from the exsistance a Street Grid that allows people to have flexbility in the routes thay take.  but as have been said before this will not change the capasity of Clifton Blvd. 

I don't understand the person defending concrete curbs vs stone. True, if the concrete is watered down as Allega did along West 117th, then you'll get crappy results. There's no risk of that with stone.

 

I don't think this project is about saving transit time. It's more about creating a more attractive pedestrian streetscape with the median and more pleasant transit waiting environments. If there is off-vehicle fare collection, then it will save a good chunk of time (perhaps 30-35 percent) off the current schedule. But that will come with the introduction of smart cards.

 

I equate this to the median that was put in Bagley Road through the B-W campus to make crossing that wide street safer and more pleasant -- even though Bagley is more narrow than Clifton.

 

Here is Bagley from Streetview, which unfortunately was shot in a July so there's no pedestrian activity as B-W was on summer break.......

 

 

 

 

That Bagley Rd median leaves much to be desired. I think the new E 12th streetscape serves as a better example of what Clifton should look like. East 12th has somewhat tall trees for new plantings. I'd expect the same for Clifton. I'm wondering how the new plantings at Clifton in front of the Giant Eagle will look if that building gets demolished with no immediate replacement?

I like it. Looks pretty low-maintenance. I don't trust the city or RTA to maintain it. Unless the property owners along Clifton are going to go out there and maintain their own little slice of heaven (like along Hilliard in Westlake), then a simple streetscape is probably better.

 

Hands down best comment of the night was when someone asked, "How much quicker will a bus get downtown with the new design?" RTA was unable to provide a number. "Wait, you've spent a million dollars to study this project and you can't even tell us this? Show us the math!" absolutely priceless! Made my entire week.

 

Once again, I would reassure dissenter such as that gentleman that its just a lane (from his looks I would guess car potato).  Its not as if we are ramming BRT and bus stations down Clifton that would cause millions to redo.  Its a paint stripe and some signs.  If we, as a neighborhood, decide its an abject failure after a year or two, all we need to do is remark the roadway and return the outer lane to cars at rush hour.

Why so personal?  Attacking people's appearance?  We're talking about a road project.  Three things:

 

1) I still work and pay taxes in Cleveland, and

 

2) I do have formal traffic planning experience, and

 

3) There are many living in the area who question this project as I do. 

 

Is there anything less controversial we could pursue?  Something like quality TOD at 117th? 

 

Also, it seems like the "car potato" question was a valid one, given that RTA is a transit agency and this is supposedly a transit project.  The non-answer he recieved suggests that transportation was an afterthought in planning this.

Even so, cars often avoid the outer lanes at rush hour now because they risk getting stopped or slowed by a bus. So all this change does is officially recognize and sanction this already existing practice.

 

BTW, I just thought of something.... RTA will likely seek policing jurisdiction for the bus lanes. If so, Lakewood PD won't be the only law enforcement agency that aggressively tickets and removes cars that park in the outer lanes during rush hours. Cleveland PD isn't as aggressive, so I suspect RTA PD would want to have jurisdiction here too. Thus RTA buses won't have to go into regular traffic lanes to go around illegally parked cars. Could be a source of revenue too!

Even so, cars often avoid the outer lanes at rush hour now because they risk getting stopped or slowed by a bus. So all this change does is officially recognize and sanction this already existing practice.

 

BTW, I just thought of something.... RTA will likely seek policing jurisdiction for the bus lanes. If so, Lakewood PD won't be the only law enforcement agency that aggressively tickets and removes cars that park in the outer lanes during rush hours. Cleveland PD isn't as aggressive, so I suspect RTA PD would want to have jurisdiction here too. Thus RTA buses won't have to go into regular traffic lanes to go around illegally parked cars. Could be a source of revenue too!

 

Cleveland tickets regularly now, but I've never seen them tow except in the case where cars are abandoned multiple days.  You're right--it's a source of revenue.  I can already see the fleet of tow trucks lining up on one end of Clifton at 3:59 pm like they used to do on Old River Road in the Flats on weekend nights!

I like it. Looks pretty low-maintenance. I don't trust the city or RTA to maintain it. Unless the property owners along Clifton are going to go out there and maintain their own little slice of heaven (like along Hilliard in Westlake), then a simple streetscape is probably better.

 

I will do my part.

 

The problem will be renters.  I see it happen all the time, including this week, where a trash can is knocked over by a dog or wind and spill everywhere, and the tenants lack the pride to clean it up.  Makes me sick to my stomach.

 

Hands down best comment of the night was when someone asked, "How much quicker will a bus get downtown with the new design?" RTA was unable to provide a number. "Wait, you've spent a million dollars to study this project and you can't even tell us this? Show us the math!" absolutely priceless! Made my entire week.

 

Once again, I would reassure dissenter such as that gentleman that its just a lane (from his looks I would guess car potato).  Its not as if we are ramming BRT and bus stations down Clifton that would cause millions to redo.  Its a paint stripe and some signs.  If we, as a neighborhood, decide its an abject failure after a year or two, all we need to do is remark the roadway and return the outer lane to cars at rush hour.

 

I agree. Any necessary adjustment will be easy to alter. I just found that meeting funny. It was like watching a live episode of Parks and Rec.

 

This project is a 9.5 million dollar beautification endeavor. RTA shouldn't try and tout this as a time saver. It's about making the RTA experience more pleasant and Clifton a more pleasant street. If executed right, those objectives should be met.

Our transit needs are too serious for such an expensive "beautification endeavor."  If RTA wants to enhance people's transit experience, and we somehow have $10 million(!) to spend... let's spend it on actual transit.

regarding timing improvements to the 55...

 

Also, it seems like the "car potato" question was a valid one, given that RTA is a transit agency and this is supposedly a transit project.  The non-answer he recieved suggests that transportation was an afterthought in planning this.

 

it boils down to the city traffic engineer installing and coordinating the traffic system with pre-emption.  If it is anything like what has happened along Euclid Ave, then there probably won't be a significant time savings.  Since RTA doesn't control the traffic lights, it is probably one of the reasons they are hesitant to imply or predict any time savings on the route. 

 

IMO, RTA must be much more aggressive in its stance on the signal pre-emption/priority, along the lines of "If you want our money and our project management to get your street repaved, then we want functioning signal pre-emption/priority for our buses.  Otherwise, we will take our money/project management/etc to another deserving project in our service territory."  Instead, they seem to turn the other way and throw their hands up.  Each bus at rush hour could equal 30 cars taken off the road - it only makes sense to move them along.

 

One simple solution would be to turn over control of this short corridor to the Lakewood traffic engineer who has figured out how to get all of the lights in lakewood timed/sensed up pretty well that traffic moves nicely...until you get to the Cleveland portion, and then it is almost a guaranteed stop at a few of the lights before hitting the shoreway.

So nothing was learned from the Euclid debacle at all... because here we go blazing ahead without planning things out or making the necessary arrangements to deliver on promises.  Regime change is desparately needed at RTA.

Our transit needs are too serious for such an expensive "beautification endeavor."  If RTA wants to enhance people's transit experience, and we somehow have $10 million(!) to spend... let's spend it on actual transit.

 

They dont have 10 million to spend.  This is money earmarked for "this" project, not out of some general RTA improvement fund.

 

Although I do agree about the necesssary regime change at RTA and many of the leadership roles in the area. 

That's not the issue though, willyboy.  This earmark didn't come from rolling Earmark Dice or praying to the Random Earmark Fairy.  And it's hard for me to believe the idea originated in congress.  Local decision makers chose to pursue this and that's the origin of the earmark.  Other ideas could have been pursued, ideas that other states and other agencies pursue, ideas that rhyme with grail.

^And there are starving children in the world too.

 

Sorry, that was unduly snarky.  It's just that opening up the funding priority box puts everything on the table. Seems odd to pick on this project when there are many others similarly deserving, or undeserving, depending on your point of view.

Well yes "tail" or maybe "nail" I hope would be the ultimate goal here, but like you said that would require a change in leadership.

 

Since it isnt as much about improving the actual transit time etc. and more about beautifying the area (and they are apparently not trying to pretend it is as they did with Euclid), I guess it doesnt bother me so much that they used the transit tool to achieve this, since I believe this area desperately needs this investment and beautification.     

What ever happened to the possibility that they would have to further widen Clifton for this project since it was a truck route or something ridiculous like that?