News From NOACA

"These projects will be implemented with $64 million in Federal Highway Administration funding administered through NOACA and the Ohio Department of Transportation," says NOACA Executive Director Grace Gallucci. "We are delighted to be able to contribute such a significant amount to northeast Ohio."

CNG Fueling Facilities Open in Cleveland and Brook Park

Have you thought about buying a vehicle that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG), but abandoned the idea because finding a fueling station might be too challenging? Two Clean Energy CNG fueling stations have recently opened in northeast Ohio

An Ace taxi fuels up at this Clean Energy compressed natural gas station in Cleveland.

and are available to the public. One is at 1798 East 55th Street in Cleveland, and another is next to the Fast Park airport parking facility at 18899 Snow Road in Brook Park. NOACA encourages the use of cleaner burning fuels like CNG since they pollute much less than petroleum-based fuels. CNG is also affordable - the cost is equivalent to $1.90 per gallon of gasoline.

Funding Grant Opportunities

'Tis the season. . . to prepare applications for several federal grant programs. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) are accepting applications for the following programs:

Agency	Funding Program	Eligible Projects	Deadline	Contact
Ohio EPA	Diesel Emissions Reduction Grants (DERG)	Clean diesel projects	February 1, 2013	Carolyn Watkins
Ohio EPA	Recycling Grant	Recycling, litter clean-up and scrap tire management	February 1, 2013	Chet Chaney
ODOT	Specialized Transportation Program (Section 5310)	Vehicles and computer equipment for public agencies and nonprofits serving the elderly and people with disabilities	February 1, 2013	Laura Garcia
ODOT	Safe Routes to Schools	Projects and programs that encourage children in grades K-8 to walk or bike to school	March 1, 2013	Julie Walcoff

If your organization intends to apply for funding, pay attention to the deadlines. They differ between programs, and some are coming up soon.

Lee Road Traffic Study Supports Region's Multi-Modal Goals

In October, the NOACA Governing Board approved federal funding to implement the second phase of the Lake to Lakes Trail. When completed, the trail will allow users to safely travel by bike from Cleveland Heights, past the Shaker Lakes nature area, all the way to Lake Erie. This trail, sponsored by the City of Shaker Heights, will also connect to other all-purpose trails and RTA's Cedar-University Rapid Station, expanding mode choices for commuters from the Heights.

Shaker Heights continues to develop plans for making the community more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly and for improving access for all modes of transportation. The City's Lee Road Traffic Study and Corridor Plan, completed with the help of a $60,000 NOACA Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI) grant, examines ways to improve access and traffic flow on Lee Road, and make the commercial district south of Chagrin Boulevard more attractive through streetscape enhancements. Improvements recommended in the plan include pedestrian amenities, dedicated bike lanes, widened shoulders on roadways, connections to bike facilities, curb and crosswalk treatments, and the reconfiguration of several intersections.

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.

Grace Gallucci
Executive Director

NOACA