Silver Light at the end of the tunnel on Euclid Avenue
By Matt Schiavone
Getting around campus can be a hassle, especially this semester. Euclid Avenue is best avoided because of the street expansion. But it’s hard when most of campus runs along it.
The orange barrels, workers, and heavy machinery make Cleveland winter an even bigger hassle than usual, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
The construction is part of the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project headed by the Greater Cleveland Regional Authority.
The project aims to ease traffic congestion on and around Euclid Avenue all while enhancing the area. Not only can students expect roadway improvements, but a more aesthetically pleasing Euclid Avenue as well.
“We are transforming the image of Euclid Avenue by creating a civic street with an enduring look,” says Jason Hellendrung, senior associate for Sasaki Associates, one of the designing firms working on the new streetscape.
Lighted medians and walkways will help give the street a new charm and make pedestrians feel more welcome at night.
Public art is set to dot the newly refined corridor, as are seasonal flowers, uniquely paved brick walkways and over 1500 new trees.
Running on the revamped street will be RTA’s new Silver Line route, which will offer students much faster public transit than what is available now.
The 17 new environmentally friendly diesel-electric hybrid buses would travel on the route and would shave 12 minutes off the travel time from Public Square to University Circle.
The closest of the 62 stops to CSU will be at East 21st and East 24th streets and buses are scheduled to arrive every five minutes.
Roadway construction should continue until about July 2007, according to RTA Project Officer Danielle Willis.
Foundation work for the bus stations and new lighting installations in the CSU area will begin and continue through December 2008.