EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Euclid Corridor Improvement Project is a comprehensive multi-modal project that employs bus rapid transit technology. It's not only the first project of its kind in the U.S., but it accomplishes the same goals as a previously considered, much more expensive rail plan. Euclid Avenue has been called 'Cleveland's Main Street,' and it's at the heart of A few years ago, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) considered the 'Dual Hub' plan, which called for a subway, and relocating the Authority's heavy rail line to Euclid Avenue. The Euclid Corridor Improvement Project features the promising bus rapid transit concept, and improvements to rail stations along the existing rail line. It will cost only about one-third the price of the old Dual Hub plan. The Bus Operations Diagram (page 4) illustrates the scope of the project. Along with downtown and University Circle, the plan involves several Cleveland neighborhoods, including an Empowerment zone. An architect rendering of a bus station at East 12th and Euclid (page 5) offers a street-level view of the project. The Euclid Corridor Improvement Project will accomplish three major goals. It will improve service to GCRTA customers by increasing transit system efficiency, promote long-term economic and community development and growth in and adjacent to the corridor, and improve the quality of life for those visiting, working or living in the corridor (detailed list on page 6). There are four major elements to the Euclid Corridor Improvement Project. First, there are the improvements slated for Euclid Avenue itself. A cross-section of the new Euclid Avenue (page 7) portrays a landscaped boulevard featuring limited-access busways, the elimination of on-street parking, and enhancements to pedestrian areas that encourage transit use, including sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, and street trees. Cleveland will join a handful of U.S. cities by employing electric trolley buses along the busways. These vehicles will help give the Euclid Corridor a unique identity. The electric trolleys also are quiet, clean vehicles that fit in with city plans to develop a residential population along lower Euclid Avenue. The GCRTA is currently talking with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority about a possible joint procurement of these vehicles. 2 Improvements to East 17th and East 18th streets downtown make up another element of this project. A third element is the development of a transit zone downtown along St. Clair and Superior avenues. A highlight of this component is the construction of two transit centers, one on the west side of downtown, and one on the east. The photo on page 8 is of transit center in Minneapolis, and illustrates a potential design for these facilities. The transit centers will help improve bus operations in downtown Cleveland, reduce the on-street staging of buses, and offer various transit amenities. The fourth element of the Euclid Corridor Improvement Project features the relocation or renovation of six heavy-rail stations on the nearby Red Line. Architect renderings of these improvements are on page 9. An outline of the estimated milestone schedule for the project is on page 10. If all goes as planned, construction could begin next summer, and electric trolley buses could be running along Euclid Avenue by spring of the year 2003. Regarding funding, the GCRTA has already received a commitment from the Ohio transportation department for $70 million. In the short-term, $16 million from the state will allow the Authority to begin Final Design this summer. However, a federal commitment of $16 million from the "New Start" program during fiscal year 2000 is necessary to complete Final Design. An outline of the project's long-term costs and funding sources is on page 11. State of Ohio money will cover approximately 20% of the Euclid Corridor project's total cost, and the GCRTA and local sources will cover a similar amount. The Authority would ask that federal funds cover the remaining 60% of the cost, or approximately $200 million. It's the GCRTA's hope that a full-funding agreement may be secured by summer of the year 2000. 3 |