CLEVELAND — When the City of Cleveland’s resurfacing project starts in March, the $4.5 million project will include improvements for cyclists traveling north and south from north of Detroit Avenue to south of Lorain Avenue.
“There’s been a lot of looks at West 65th and the reason it’s so important is it’s the major north/south connector,” said Ward 15 Cleveland City Councilmember Jenny Spencer on a virtual community meeting explaining the project.
The multi-mile project will also play a big role in connecting two large bike infrastructure projects being built right now: the Whiskey Island Connector and the Red Line Greenway.
The Whiskey Island Connector will be accessible from West 65th Street and Father Caruso Drive on the northern part of West 65th Street. The Red Line Greenway will run from the Cuyahoga River in Ohio City to Michael Zone Recreation Center on Lorain Avenue where it will intersect with West 65th Street.
The full resurfacing project will run from Dension Avenue to the south, to Herman Avenue to the north and will be completed in roughly a year, starting in March 2021.
Different sections of West 65th Street will have unique designs based on the needs of the neighborhoods they pass through, but overall, there will be 2.5 miles of bike lanes on both sides of the street—1.5 miles of “sharrows.” Organizers are currently attempting to secure additional funding for green paint to highlight bike symbol pavement markings and raised pavement reflectors.
The street will also have ADA curb ramps at 39 corners and four Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon devices along West 65th Street, making it easier for pedestrians to safely cross the street.
The project doesn’t continue all the way north to Father Caruso Drive because it’s not the right kind of street to be worked on with the money acquired for the rest of West 65th Street. City officials told the community meeting it would cost about $140,000 to continue the improvements to the end of the block and that they are trying to figure out how to make that project possible.
Residents are encouraged to contact Cecil Benson with problems at Cbenson@city.clevleand.oh.us or call 216-857-7648.
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