LIMA, OH (WLIO) - The City of Lima is making some modifications after hearing from the public. The proposed changes are to a half-mile of Cable Road.
The project is anticipated to cost $6.5 million.
Due to the number of crashes along Cable Road from Latham to College Park West, safety improvements need to be made. After a public meeting in March 2024, the city has made a few adjustments to the design by adding an additional lane from Windsor Drive to College Park West. The proposed center median is still the best alternative for eliminating cross-traffic issues.
The proposed changes are to a half-mile of Cable Road.
"Based on our crash analysis on Cable Road, a lot of the crashes were happening from left-angle crashes. We were almost double the state-wide average for those types of crashes. So the proven safety countermeasures that we're implementing should reduce those crashes out there," explained Ian Kohli, engineer for the City of Lima.
The proposed center median is still the best alternative for eliminating cross-traffic issues.
The project is anticipated to cost $6.5 million. The City of Lima is looking to get most of that through state and federal dollars. The Ohio Department of Transportation safety funding is based on traffic safety studies and using best safety practices for the project.
The City of Lima, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), is working to make travel safer and easier on Cable Road. The section of Cable Road from Latham Avenue to College Park West experienced 156 crashes from 2017 to 2021 with 28% resulting in injuries. A leading contributor to the crashes is the total number of driveways along the corridor. Additionally, the lack of sidewalks along this commercial corridor is a concern for pedestrian travel.
To address these concerns, the City of Lima performed a traffic safety study that identified alternative solutions that would improve pedestrian safety and sidewalk connectivity and reduce overall vehicle crashes in the corridor. The Safety Study recommended the following improvements to Cable Road.
- Latham Avenue to Windsor Drive: Install a center median. This would maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction and install a signalized U-turn at the Latham Avenue and Windsor Drive intersections.
- Windsor Drive to College Park West: Install a road diet (reduce the number of lanes) with one lane of traffic in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane.
- Sidewalks: Install along Cable Road from Latham Avenue to College Park West.
The City of Lima presented and requested public feedback on the recommended improvements during an in-person and virtual public meeting. Many comments expressed the following concerns. • The proposed road diet would worsen traffic congestion related to the railroad crossing to the north of the project area.
- The reduction in travel lanes would impair the traffic flow along the corridor and cause more congestion and frustration from drivers.
- The proposed center median will negatively affect the businesses along the corridor. As a result of the public feedback, Lima City officials conducted a new analysis to consider improvements to the proposed design. The proposed improvements have been modified as follows.
- Latham Avenue to Windsor Drive: The proposed center median (with a signalized Uturn at each end) remains the optimal alternative for addressing the high number of crashes, for it will eliminate cross-traffic issues.
- Windsor Drive to College Park West: The City has modified the proposed road diet to include two northbound lanes, one center two-way left turn lane, and one southbound lane. • Sidewalks: Sidewalks on the west side of Cable Road will be constructed from Latham Avenue to College Park West. Sidewalks on the east side will be constructed from Latham Avenue to the mid-block pedestrian crossing near the UNOH Indoor Athletic Complex.
Additional project improvements include:
- Upgrading the three (3) traffic signals at Latham Avenue, Windsor Drive, and College Park West.
- Reconstructing driveways along the corridor to tie in with the roadway and pedestrian improvements.
- Installing new catch basins and storm sewer repairs.
- Replacing the sanitary sewer force main from Latham Avenue to the pump station near an unnamed tributary to Dug Run.
Permanent and temporary right-of-way will be required in order to complete the proposed work. Representatives of the City of Lima would be in contact with affected property owners beginning in 2025. Construction is estimated to begin in 2027.
The project’s website can be accessed at PublicInput.com/CableRoad or by scanning the QR code.
The Project’s website has updated project information, including individualized responses to each comment received, and revised analyses and design renderings. The project’s website can be accessed at PublicInput.com/CableRoad or by scanning the QR code to the right. The site is currently closed for any additional public comments; however, questions or comments can be directed to Mr. David Louth by phone at (419) 998.5567 or via email at David.Louth@cityhall.lima.oh.us.
If you do not have internet access and would like these materials mailed to you, please contact David Louth at the phone number or email address above.
Thank you for your continued interest in this worthy project.
