LIMA, OH (WLIO)- Lima City Council will hold a third and final reading Monday night on an ordinance to acquire property for the Cable Road Safety Improvement Project.
The ordinance has sparked a strong response from businesses and residents in the project area and throughout and around Lima, with some voicing support and others expressing opposition to the plan.
Council members were presented with approximately 45 letters regarding the more than $6 million safety improvement project, with about half against the project and half saying it is needed. The project is scheduled to begin in 20-27.
Plans call for constructing a median barrier along Cable Road from Latham Avenue to Windsor Drive, similar to Elida Road. But the Southbound traffic would be reduced to one lane, with the second lane designated for vehicles turning left or making U-turns at intersections to access the northbound lane.
A sidewalk would also be installed on the west side of the road from Clock Tower Plaza to the University of Northwestern Ohio campus.
The city entered into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation in 20-23 for the project. Approximately $4 million in Ohio Highway Safety funds were committed to help cover construction costs.
Under the agreement, if the project does not move forward within 10 years or if the current design is altered, the state funding would be withdrawn and reallocated to other projects in Ohio. If Lima chooses to change the design, the city would have to reapply and compete again for funding.
The outcome of Monday night’s vote could determine the future of the project, the vote in previous readings have been five for the ordinance, and three against.
The Cable Road Safety Improvement Project details.
Latham Avenue to Windsor Drive: A median barrier will be installed. Access to Cable Road from business drives along this section would be right-turn only; no left-turn movements across lanes of traffic would be accessible. Signalized U-turns will be accommodated at each end of the median barrier to allow drivers to access to the opposite side of the roadway.
- Windsor Drive to College Park Drive: The 5-lane roadway will be converted to 4 lanes to provide two northbound lanes, one center two-way left turn lane, and one southbound lane.
- Install Sidewalks: Sidewalks will be installed along the west side of the roadway from the entrance of Clock Tower Plaza (where the existing sidewalk ends) to College Park Drive; and along the east side of the roadway from Latham Avenue to the mid-block pedestrian crossing near the UNOH Indoor Athletic Complex.
- Upgrade traffic signals at the Latham Avenue, Windsor Drive, and College Park West intersections.
- Reconstruct driveways along the corridor to tie in with the roadway and pedestrian improvements.
- Install new catch basins and repair storm sewers.
- Replace 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. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027.
