Crews to carry out Cleveland Rd. work

SANDUSKY — On Thursday, work began to transform a busy intersection. This all circles back to what's known as the Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) safety improvement project, specifically targeting the intersection at Cedar Point Drive in Sandusky near the Thirsty Pony Restaurant. Beyond the circular traffic layout, other tasks involve incorporating various safety upgrades at this present-day three-way crossing. "This important corridor carries residents, workers and visitors every day, and these improvements will help people move through the area more safely," city interim public works director Josh Snyder said. "Studies have shown that roundabouts installed in locations like this reduce delays and improve pedestrian crossings, while the signal and turn-lane work will address long-standing congestion concerns along Cleveland Road." What's the latest? Initially, commuters can expect work to occur primarily outside the road area. During the next few weeks, however, "Additional construction activity will begin in the roundabout area at Cleveland Road and Cedar Point Drive, also largely outside of the main travel lanes," according to a city statement. Officials stressed how the roundabout construction area will remain largely open to traffic throughout all phases of work. There should be one lane of travel open in all directions at most times. There will be a time this spring where access to Cedar Point Drive at this intersection will close. Throughout the past month or so, motorists driving through this area might have noticed a traffic signal change: yellow directional arrows for traffic on Cleveland Road and a red directional arrow for traffic on Cedar Point Drive. This newer, albeit temporary, system replaced a traditional red-yellow-green traffic light system. "As part of the early construction setup (this week), the contractor will install temporary traffic signals at the intersection of Cleveland Road and Cedar Point Drive," according to a city statement. "This will return the intersection to a normal three-way traffic signal and replace the existing signal, which has been flashing in recent weeks." Once the roundabout arrives, then crews will permanently remove this three-way traffic signal. But, as construction advances, "Motorists should expect traffic modifications and lane restrictions at various points along the corridor," the statement read. "Substantial completion of the roundabout portion of the project is scheduled for mid-May to help minimize disruption during peak summer travel," it added, referencing when Cedar Point opens in early May. "The overall project along the whole corridor is expected to be completed by October of this year. The timelines are subject to change based on weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances." People can receive updates on this project by visiting cityofsandusky.com/clevelandroad. The overall scope The Cleveland Road safety improvement project encompasses more than just what's happening at Cedar Point Drive. Officials will pursue substantial upgrades elsewhere along Cleveland Road on Sandusky's east end. "This project addresses six intersections along Cleveland Road within the Sandusky city limits," the statement read. "The work includes new turn lanes, replacement of aging signal equipment, removal of unwarranted signals, pedestrian safety upgrades and the construction of a single-lane roundabout at Cleveland Road and Cedar Point Drive." Specific elements include: • Replacing traffic signal poles and mast arms at Harbor Parkway and Remington Avenue • Adding new turn lanes at Harbor Parkway, Remington Avenue and Sycamore Lane • Removing traffic signals at Avondale Street, Cowdery Street and Milan Road/Frontage Road C • Constructing a modified one-lane roundabout at Cedar Point Drive with crosswalks and upgraded intersection lighting • Putting in transit bus pull-off areas near Harbour Parkway • Incorporating sidewalk, curbing and improved drainage on the north side of Cleveland Road from Harbour Parkway to East Shoreway Drive, meeting up with the newly installed Sandusky Bay Pathway On a related note, "The city has a separate sidewalk, drainage and curbing project planned for the south side of Cleveland Road from Harbour Parkway to East Shoreway Drive slated for 2027 that is partially funded by" the Ohio Department of Transportation. The past timeline The statement also provided some history as it relates to this project: • "This project began after the U.S. 6 corridor study, completed by TranSystems in 2019, and coordinated through the Erie County metropolitan planning organization. That study recommended several safety and traffic flow improvements on (U.S.) 6 through Sandusky and into Huron." • "In 2020, the city commission authorized the filing of a highway safety improvement program grant application with (the state government) based on those recommendations." • "In 2021, the city selected American Structurepoint of Cleveland to provide engineering and design services. Their work included environmental review, warrant studies, feasibility analysis for the roundabout, detailed design and public meetings." • "Since then, the city has completed property acquisition and installed water line upgrades in spring 2024 in preparation for the roadway construction." The cost The estimated cost totals about $3.7 million, down from an original amount of $4.5 million, equating to a nearly 18% decrease. It breaks down, as explained in a city statement, with: • $3.2 million coming in federal funds • $388,000 coming in local funds through the city's capital budget; This is down from an earlier estimate of $629,000, translating to a 38% drop. The money comes from a large-scale projects account and not the everyday operating budget, funding dozens of essential public services, like police and fire. The related project The roundabout slated for the intersection at Cedar Point Drive is just one of several planned along U.S. 6 in Erie County between Sandusky and Huron. In a separate but related state-funded project, an estimated $24 million expense calls for various upgrades along U.S. 6, including at the intersections of Cleveland Road at: • East Perkins Avenue by Osborn MetroPark • Camp Road by Barnes Nursery • Rye Beach Road by a Shell gas station • A pair at the Ohio 2 ramp interchanges Construction on the actual connectivity corridor won't begin until April 2026 with a scheduled completion date set for October 2027. Getting the road ready As this work gets started, also along Cleveland Road from Remington Avenue to the city's eastern edge, by the sports complexes, construction work recently began on The Landing. Earlier this summer, city commissioners finalized a $19.5 million package to finance The Landing, a proposed 27-acre nature space behind Sports Force Parks on Cleveland Road in Sandusky's back bay. By 2029, officials ideally want to create an uninterrupted 13-mile-long waterfront route, connecting Sandusky's west side to its east end, linking parks, piers, restaurants, hotels, businesses, wooded areas and more.