The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
High-crash area input sought
Intersection gets state, local attention among most dangerous spots for crash frequency, obstructed views and aging road markings
The Ohio Department of Transportation continues to seek public input about plans to improve one of Northeast Ohio’s most dangerous intersections.
According to a news release from ODOT District 12, the intersection of U.S. Route 322 (Mayfield Road) and Auburn Road in Munson Township is ranked No. 19 in ODOT’s 2015 listings for rural intersections with higher than predicated crash frequency locations and No. 5 for rural intersections in Geauga County.
Between obstructed views of oncoming traffic, aging and faded roadway markings, potentially slick pavement and other factors, ODOT has expressed concern about the intersection’s overall safety.
The agency held a meeting at Munson Township Hall earlier this month to hear public concerns and input and present an overview of a preliminary safety study it had commissioned to analyze the crossroads and illuminate some of the factors that make it so dangerous.
Among ODOT’s concerns are private-property issues, drainage and septic-system issues and other environmental factors.
“The potential improvements may require rightof-way to be acquired, 1.4 acres of tree removal and could affect three historic homes,” the release reads. “One (of these homes) is on the National Register of Historic Places.”
Amanda McFarland, public information officer with ODOT District 12, said she considered the Aug. 7 meeting “well attended,” with about 50 community members present.
“Generally, the residents supported the need for intersection improvements,” she wrote in an Aug. 13 email exchange.
According to the study, for which ODOT commissioned Columbus-based engineering firm Burgess & Niple, crash data for the intersection obtained between Jan. 1, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2015 showed “a total of 24 crashes occurred at the intersection during the three-year period with eight crashes occurring in 2013, 10 in 2014, and six in 2015. The top three crash types were left-turn, rear end, and angle.”
It further states that: “The crash patterns indicate that lack of left-turn lanes, congestion, and poor signal head visibility are primary factors contributing to the safety performance of the intersection. These deficiencies were compounded by wet pavement crashes being higher than the statewide average and young drivers.”
The solutions proposed in the study are as follows:
Short-term countermeasures:
• Modify existing signal timings
• Improve signal head visibility with new box span-wire or mast arm signal and backplates
• Modify existing signal clearance intervals to meet requirements of current ODOT guidance
Medium-term countermeasures:
• Construct exclusive leftturn lanes on all four intersection approaches
• Consider improving pavement friction
The report states these countermeasures would cost an estimated $1,907,687.
McFarland said high on the list of residents’ concerns is how their properties will be affected.
“Those that lived nearest to the project have concerns about impacts to their properties including what the impacts would be to trees, septic systems, landscaping, wells and the potential for the roadway to be closer to them,” she said. “The new Notre Dame Assisted Living has the potential for adding traffic south of the intersection was also brought up by attendees.”
She added that during the plan development stage, ODOT will ask the consultant to avoid or minimize impacts to the items identified by the residents.
ODOT will respond to any comments and concerns regarding the Auburn Road/U.S. 322 intersection in Munson Township through Sept. 3, McFarland confirms. Written comments may be sent to: Tom Sorge, District Environmental Specialist, 5500 Transportation Blvd., Garfield Heights, OH 44125
“Following the completion of stage 2 plans (approximately May 2019), ODOT will host another meeting which will identify the exact construction limits for each property,” McFarland writes.