By:  Vice Mayor Herman

RESOLUTION 08-19

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO REQUEST RELEASE OF $2 MILLION EARMARKED FOR CHERRY VALLEY ROAD INTERCHANGE

WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is funding a project that will convert the westernmost segment of the State Route161/37/16/36 macro-corridor to a limited access highway from New Albany to Granville and will be completed in 2009; and

WHEREAS, the limits of the new highway do not extend to the State Route16/Cherry Valley Road intersection and, therefore, the existing at-grade, signalized intersection will remain; and

WHEREAS, the Cherry Valley intersection/interchange is the connection point between a state macro corridor and the Thornwood Drive Corridor; and

WHEREAS, the State Route 16/Cherry Valley Road intersection currently operates at a Level of Service (LOS) E – near failure – and will operate at a LOS F – failure – in the near future; and

WHEREAS, given the improvements to the Routes161/37/16 corridor east and west of this intersection, the intersection constricts the flow of traffic and commerce through the center of Licking County; and

WHEREAS, it is alarming that the accident rate for that intersection continues to climb and that 50% of the rear end accidents result in injuries; and

WHEREAS, the Route 16/Cherry Valley Road intersection is among the worst in Licking County and, more importantly, it is the only intersection in the group that does not have a plan to improve it; and

WHEREAS, the Route 16/Cherry Valley Road intersection is one of four target projects identified by the recently-formed Columbus-Pittsburgh Corridor Committee; and

WHEREAS, there is an ODOT-preferred conceptual alternative and a completed Strategic Plan for the State Route 16 and Cherry Valley Road intersection that supports the replacement of the existing intersection with an interchange to the east of the current at-grade intersection; and

WHEREAS, for the project to continue, additional funding will be required; and

WHEREAS, Congressman Pat Tiberi obtained a $2 million earmark in the 2005 SAFETEA-LU Federal Transportation Bill for this project.

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Council of Granville, Ohio that:

SECTION I: The Mayor is hereby authorized, on behalf of the Village of Granville, to request release of the $2 million in earmarked funds obtained by Congressman Pat Tiberi in the 2005 SAFETEA-LU Federal Transportation Bill for the State Route 16/Cherry Valley Road interchange project.
      
SECTION II:    This resolution shall be effective upon passage.

Passed this 19th day of March, 2008.