Letter to the Editor: Mayor Responds to Concerns Over Traffic Signals

This letter to the editor was submitted by Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers in repsonse to concerns over the traffic signal project on Detroit Avenue.

The traffic signal replacement initiative on Clifton and Detroit is designed to achieve smoother traffic flow, safe pedestrian access, improved air quality (less idling), and improved energy efficiency (both car gasoline use and electricity  for the lights).

All of these are worthy objectives.

These new lights are more energy efficient, and are integrated with each other to monitor and adjust timing to better meet all of the objectives.

Each intersection is evaluated by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) against automobile and pedestrian traffic levels. Minimum thresholds are needed to warrant the approximately $140,000 investment in each signal. Lakewood's local share is 20% of this cost. If a signal is not warranted by the Ohio Department of Transportation, Lakewood has the option to pay the full $140,000 price on our own.

On Detroit, The Manor Park, Marlowe, and Mars intersections were not determined to meet the minimum necessary to warrant ODOT's investment. The City of Lakewood decided that the gap between Bunts and Belle Avenue was too great a distance to not ensure safe pedestrian crossing of Detroit. We elected to pay the $140,000 for the Marlowe traffic light.

Marlowe was chosen for several reasons:

1. It is in the direction of the and more retail activity.
2. Emergency Vehicle traffic  is better managed
3. There is more pedestrian traffic at this intersection than Manor Park.
4. The Bus Shelter on the South side of Detroit in front of Lakewood Hospital (East bound bus traffic) is the same distance from the Westerly as the same side bus shelter to the West of the building.
5. Pedestrian traffic from the Westerly to cross Detroit Avenue requires approximately 130-150 steps to the Marlowe traffic signal. (as measured from the sign in the front of the building.)

Decisions such as the Manor Park light require a careful balance of all factors. Safety is paramount, but safety can be assured if we alter some long developed habits and travel in different directions for short distances to ensure safe crossing. Automobile traffic in Lakewood has many options it can choose to minimize any congestion and delay.

The Mars Avenue intersection is bracketed by Arthur Avenue 200 feet to the West, and Andrews light, 300 feet to the East.

These changes were announced 2 years ago. I met with the Westerly residents in early 2010 in my capacity as Ward 3 Councilperson to discuss them. This discussion helped affirm the need to invest in the Marlowe Light at city expense. 

Originally, the Arthur Ave lights and Hall lights were also not  "warranted" by ODOT. The data was  closer to meeting minimums, or an additional criteria of "safe routes to schools' was invoked to get ODOT to reconsider their decision. We were able to persuade them to do so and these lights were reinstated. Because the Arthur light was reinstated, we could not get the Mars light, 200 feet away, from obtaining reinstatement.

I have offered to meet with the Westerly residents again if the desire to do so.

Michael P. Summers

Mayor, City of Lakewood