COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Transportation has weighed in on the ongoing struggle between Strongsville and Brunswick over the proposed interchange on I-71 at Boston Road.
In a letter to the mayors of both communities, along with the mayor of North Royalton, and members of the Ohio General Assembly, ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks said more research into other alternatives to the interchange is necessary.
For decades, officials in Strongsville have pushed for an interchange on I-71 between Route 82 and Route 303 to help ease traffic congestion. At the end of March, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a $13.5 billion transportation budget that included inserted language from Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) requiring that the Ohio Department of Transportation "ensure that limited access exit and entrance ramps to interstate highways exist at least every 4.5 miles in adjacent municipal corporations."
The exits on I-71 at routes 82 and 303 are approximately six miles away from each other.
This summer, the city of Strongsville released the results of a preliminary feasibility study on how to improve the roads and highways at the border with Brunswick "to increase the safety and convenience of the traveling public through the cities." But Marchbanks says the 714-page report from Euthenics "did not provide an obvious solution to reduce congestion and decrease crash frequency." You can read the study below.
"As a result, more detailed modeling of alternatives on the broader network will be necessary to determine if an interchange at Boston Road or another alternative would be preferred," Marchbanks wrote. "In addition, because of local opposition to an interchange at Boston Road, it will be important to further study other previously studied locations at the same level of detail to compare impacts, costs, and benefits."
The city of Brunswick has long opposed the idea of a Boston Road interchange, as have nearby cities Hinckley and Brunswick Hills.
Last week, three members of the Ohio General Assembly announced new legislation that would repeal Patton's requirement, amid fears from Brunswick residents who would lose their homes to make room for the interchange. Euthenics' report suggested that as many as 14 residences would need to be relocated.
"This proposed interchange was the result of one community – Strongsville – trying to legislate a neighboring community – Brunswick – to fix a problem they created,” Ohio House Asst. Majority Whip Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) said. "This interchange is bad for Brunswick and all of Medina County for financial and safety reasons, and is just bad policy overall.”
So what happens next? Marchbanks said once the feasibility study is completed with "all alternatives to improve safety and congestion in and around" Strongsville evaluated, an interchange justification study could be performed that would be reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
However, for anything concrete to take place, Marchbanks says Strongsville and Brunswick "will need to concur on solutions." The approval of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is also required.
You can read Marchbanks' letter below: