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NOACA connection
News from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency
September 2012 - Vol 2, Issue 9
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Tweet About NOACA News and Events
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NOACA is now on Twitter, @NOACA_mpo. Join the conversation about NOACA programs, services, and projects, and keep up with NOACA activities and public events. Spread the word! Let your co-workers and associates know that they can follow NOACA on Twitter and Facebook.
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ODOT Announces Specialized Transportation Funding Awards
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You may have seen special transit vehicles operating in your neighborhood, picking up people at senior centers or their homes, and transporting them to shopping centers, hospitals and medical facilities. NOACA works with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to help
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Special transit vehicles help older adults and the physically disabled get to the places they need to go.
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human service agencies acquire federal funding to purchase these special vehicles, which also have wheelchair lifts to assist people with disabilities. The vehicles help older adults and the physically-challenged remain independent by providing transportation services.
ODOT's Office of Transit recently announced the fiscal year 2012 recipients of Specialized Transportation Program funding. Eleven northeast Ohio human service agencies will receive funding for 14 handicapped-equipped vehicles, and computer software. "We're pleased with this good news," says Grace Gallucci, NOACA executive director. "NOACA is committed to helping residents of our region find the transportation services they need."
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NOACA Conducts Semi-annual Bike Counts Program
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During this last week of September, volunteers are counting bicyclists and pedestrians at various intersections in northeast Ohio as part of NOACA's bicycle count program. NOACA conducts the counts in May and September to gain insight on the levels of biking and walking in the region, and examine trends over time. The counts also help NOACA prioritize projects and determine where to focus funding for new bicycle facilities. You can check out which intersections bicyclists and pedestrians used the most-the counts from last September and May are posted on NOACA's website.
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NOACA Funds RTA's Expanded Trolley Service
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The Greater Cleveland RTA recently extended its downtown Cleveland
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RTA has launched three new trolley lines in Cleveland with the help of NOACA-controlled federal funding.
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trolley service into the evening (until 11 p.m!) and on weekends. The new C-Line and L-Line trolleys provide transportation to entertainment venues, including the Horseshoe Casino, Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center and Playhouse Square. A third new line, the NineTwelve Line, serves the East Ninth Street business district during morning and afternoon rush hours. The expanded service, launched with the help of $2.9 million in NOACA federal aid, will allow riders to ride free with a smile to Cleveland's most popular downtown destinations.
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Cedar/University Rapid Station Reconstruction Underway
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Rendering of the new rapid station
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RTA broke ground for the $18.5 million redesigned Cedar/University Red Line rapid transit station on September 19. The station, located at the bottom of Cedar Hill in University Circle, serves nearby universities and hospitals, and is one of the highest transfer points on RTA's red line system. The station is being completely rebuilt, with improved passenger amenities and access for persons with disabilities. Construction of the new station will take approximately 24 months. NOACA is contributing $600,000 for pedestrian enhancements and public art.
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New Transportation Projects Added to Long-Range Plan
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At its September 14 meeting, the NOACA Governing Board voted to add 18 road, bridge, transit and trail projects to the region's long-range transportation plan. Eleven of these projects will also be added to the state fiscal years 2012-2015 Transportation Improvement Program. The long-range plan outlines the development of northeast Ohio's transportation system and identifies transportation investments that are planned through the year 2030. The TIP is the comprehensive, four-year listing of federal-aid transportation improvement projects scheduled for implementation in the NOACA region.
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The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is a regional organization of local officials responsible for carrying out transportation and environmental planning under the local direction and in accordance with state and federal mandates. The NOACA area encompasses the Cleveland/Lorain-Elyria metropolitan region, which includes Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties. |
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Grace Gallucci
Executive Director
NOACA
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