Great Northern Boulevard work starts next week
By Jeff Gallatin
North Olmsted
Published March 28, 2007

Starting next Monday, motorists coming in and out of North Olmsted will start seeing the results of political diplomacy when the $1.33 million Great Northern Boulevard reconstruction project gets underway.

Work scheduled for the project being done by Blaze Construction includes complete removal of the existing pavement and replacement with new pavement, curbs, median and sidewalks between the Regional Transit Authority Park-n-Ride and Country Club Boulevard area.

Mayor Thomas O’Grady said he appreciates the costs being shared by the Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Public Works Commission and the city.

“It’s a major undertaking and it would have been impossible at this time for the city to have done this all by itself as was planned a relatively short time ago,” O’Grady said.

Last year, state officials initially told their city counterparts that the extensive repairs needed for the roadway would have to be borne entirely by the city. However, O’Grady and city officials questioned this and began the process of trying to get the state to change its mind.

“We spoke to the state officials consistently in what we felt was a reasonable way and reminded them that it also is a roadway which handles a great deal of traffic not only for the people of North Olmsted, but many other motorists and travelers,” O’Grady said.

He said it wasn’t something which was accomplished immediately.

“It was a gradual process of talking more than once to a number of people,” O’Grady said. “But we managed to get them to agree because they realized the importance of this.”

He said the city’s share of the costs are now only somewhat more than $200,000 instead of the entire $1,334,069.

“It’s a huge difference,” O’Grady said.

Nicole Dailey Jones, chairwoman of  city council’s streets and transportation committee, said it also will make a big difference to motorists and to many people’s perceptions of the city when they drive on the roadway.

“It’s a major artery in and out of the city,” Jones said. “Thousands of people drive that area every day. It’s something that will make a big difference to all of them.”

She asked people to be aware the work will take some time.

“We’d just remind people to be patient while the work is being done because the end product is going to be much better and make people feel better about the area,” she said.

Michael Gareau Jr., chairman of council’s building, zoning and development committee, also is pleased that the project is starting soon.

“It’s a mess out there,” Gareau said. “It’s overdue. We’ve been hearing about this for some time and I’m glad we can get it going this year.”

Project officials expect construction to be completed by the end of July.

O’Grady and state officials decided against having the work get underway during the holiday season last year to avoid even more potential traffic problems.

Officials said two-way traffic will be maintained at all times during construction with short delays from time to time. Night work will be permitted and the speed limit will be reduced to 25 miles per hour during the work.

There will be a few ramp closures with three phases of construction. The westbound I-480 exit ramp to southbound Great Northern Boulevard will be closed at all times during construction. The northbound Great Northern Bouelvard Ramp to westbound 480 will be closed during phases one and three.

The northbound Great Northern Bouelvard to eastbound 480 ramp may be closed for a maximum of seven days during phase 2. The eastbound I-480 exit ramp to Great Northern Boulevard may be closed at night between the hours of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The 480 westbound exit ramp to northbound Great Northern Boulevard may also be closed at night between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. during phase two. Officials intend to maintain access to the Park-n-ride at all times.