A. The schedule for the study was identified at the onset as fourteen months, beginning with URS’ authorization to proceed in late November, 2004. It is anticipated that the study will be completed in late January, 2006.

A. Since this study only goes through Step 5 of the PDP, no final recommendations will be made. The conceptual alternatives developed will proceed through Steps 6 through 14 to identify feasible alternatives, choose projects to move forward with, develop plans and finally construct the project(s). This process can take several years.

Following the safety study in 2002-2003, ODOT identified some specific projects to upgrade signals and add turn lanes. Those projects are currently in the design phase and are expected to be constructed in 2007-2008.

A. Yes, comments can be forwarded to Joe DeFuria at ODOT, or Judy Bennett at URS.

A. As we get into conceptual alternatives, those ideas may be considered as ways to alleviate congestion on US 224, but any interchanges on other routes (Shields Road, Kirk Road, Western Reserve Road) would be addressed in detail in other studies. Also, the Turnpike is outside of ODOT's jurisdiction, and any additional interchanges on the Turnpike would be addressed through the Ohio Turnpike Commission. There are studies being pursued by ODOT for possible interchanges at SR 11/Kirk Road and I-680/SR 164.

A. Based on the traffic counts, trucks and heavy vehicles are a low percentage(approximately 3%) of the overall traffic on US 224 in the study area. US 224 through Canfield and Boardman Townships is designated as a principal arterial, one of the functions of which is to serve as a truck route, rather than forcing trucks onto local streets.

A. A Red Flag Summary, which identifies potential areas of environmental concern, is being prepared. An environmental document will have to be prepared for any projects that result from this Corridor Study. As projects move through the next steps of the Project Development Process, drainage will be taken into detailed consideration.

A. Projects that are already programmed through ODOT, and are ongoing, such as the improvements at US 224/ SR 625/Tippecanoe and at US 224/South Avenue will move forward. Those projects are intended to address some critical locations identified in the previous safety study. The Corridor Study will provide more comprehensive solutions for the corridor, including the already programmed interim improvements.

A. At this point, we have not started identifying solutions. That is the next step, based on the data and analysis completed to date. We do not envision one "magic" answer, but expect to identify several concepts to improve operations, reduce congestion and minimize safety problems.

A. Currently business owners are cooperative. It is in the owners' best interest to cooperate in order to maintain a good access to their business. Improving conditions along US 224 helps everyone, including business owners, by making travel in and through the corridor easier.

A. A general growth factor has been used to develop the 2030 traffic volumes, based on Eastgate's current travel demand model. In addition, the Westford development (between Raccoon and Tippecanoe on the south side of US 224) has been included in the future traffic scenario.

A. ODOT and Eastgate originally budgeted $1,000,000 for the Corridor Study. As we move through each step, a budget to complete specific tasks is prepared and approved before work begins on those tasks.

A. Based on dollar figures that ODOT uses for safety studies, and the number of property damage and injury crashes experienced from 2002-2004, the three-year cost of crashes in the corridor was $43,600,000, or about $14,500,000 annually. This is based on the average cost per crash and does not include the cost of delay to other motorists during the incident, costs related to lawsuits, or lost time to get vehicles repaired. Note that this is only the crash-related cost. Every day 35,000 motorists experience the lost time and fuel costs associated with poor levels of service.

A. The next step in the Project Development Process (PDP), Step 3, is to develop conceptual alternatives. These alternatives will be broad-based ideas, using the data and analysis developed in Steps 1 and 2.