| Euclid Corridor Transportation Project
The following are components of the Euclid Corridor Project:
Separate Project
Bus Rapid Transit: An Innovative Concept for the 21st Century
The BRT system originated in the late 1960s as a bus-based system operated on a separate right-of-way. Over the years, BRT evolved as a cost-effective way to upgrade service on heavily traveled bus routes. As part of its streamlined service, BRT emulates and provides the benefits of light rail. It also results in travel-time savings and increased public transit usage.
Anticipated Features of the Euclid Corridor BRT:
- Flexibility- BRT affords the dedicated right-of-way of light rail, but the versatility of a bus.
- Dedicated Vehicle Lanes - Vehicles will travel on exclusive lanes, thus maximizing speed and service. Special traffic control systems will offer signal priority to BRT vehicles.
- Environmentally Friendly Vehicles - The Euclid Corridor vehicles will be diesel-electric, powered by clean-burning fuels and batteries.
- Attractive Streetscape – New public art, landscape designs, sidewalks, and passenger stations will beautify the cultural, historical, and entertainment sites along Euclid Avenue.
- Faster Fare Collections - Fares will be collected quickly and efficiently through off-board vending machines. This will significantly speed boarding.
- Easier Boarding - Fast-loading, level platforms, which are ADA accessible, will help expedite boarding.
- User-Friendly Service - High-tech amenities will include real-time bus status and other electronic signage information. Easy-to-understand print materials will effectively communicate information to riders.
Euclid Avenue Improvements
The exclusive transitway will extend from Public Square in the Central Business District (CBD) to University Circle, where the transit vehicles will segue to curbside operations and continue to the Louis B. Stokes Station at Windermere in East Cleveland.
The improvements on Euclid Avenue include:
- Complete reconstruction of the Euclid Avenue Right-of-Way (ROW) between Public Square and the Cleveland/East Cleveland corporate boundary. This includes:
- Exclusive bus lanes adjacent to the median from Public Square to E.107th Street, then curb side flow in mixed traffic lanes out to the Cleveland/East Cleveland corporate boundary;
- Pedestrian zone enhancements that encourage transit usage, including sidewalks, passenger shelters at center median bus stations, pedestrian lighting, street trees and tree lawns as appropriate;
- Roadway reconstruction comprised of exclusive bus lanes and travel lanes for other vehicles. Roadway design incorporating the acquisition of additional right-of-way to construct consistent curb lines, consistent numbers and widths of travel lanes, upgraded street lighting, and crosswalks at intersections designed to clearly identify pedestrian zones;
- Traffic signal equipment installation on Euclid Avenue and on intersecting streets, as necessary, to provide priority to GCRTA vehicles operating on Euclid Avenue. The elimination of the majority of on-street parking and relocation of loading zones where possible, and installation of pedestrian and vehicular signage to clearly identify the availability of transit service;
- ADA compliance for all improvements to be carried out;
- Design and construction of bus stations and landscape and streetscape improvements.
- Minor modifications between the Cleveland/East Cleveland corporate boundary and the Louis B. Stokes Station at Windermere in East Cleveland through coordination with the Euclid Avenue rehabilitation project in East Cleveland. These consist primarily of new bus stations and the associated streetscape work in the immediate area.
- Providing conduit, systems and supports for fare collection units to be installed in the stations.
- Basement areaways/vaults extend out from many of the buildings beneath the sidewalks of Euclid Avenue. These areas are used for various purposes ranging from utility access to office space. The structures will require modifications, with the extent of mo0dification determined by the proposed usage of the street or sidewalk above.
St. Clair / Superior Transit Zone
Curb-to-curb reconstruction will be done on St. Clair Avenue from W.3rd Street to E.13th Street, and on to Superior Avenue from W.3rrd Street to E.18th Street. The design and construction of the transit zone bounded by Superior Avenue, St. Clair Avenue, West 3rd Street, and East 18th street in downtown Cleveland to provide for expanded, highly visible bus operations in the CBD will enable convenient transfer between cross-town bus routes for regional travel.
Components consist of:
- Exclusive bus lanes which will minimize conflicts between private vehicles and GCRTA buses and also minimize the routine operating and maintenance costs of the designated bus lanes and other vehicular travel lanes;
- Pedestrian zone enhancements include passenger shelters and signage. These encourage transit use and provide greater visibility and information for transit riders.
- Modifications to roadways and traffic regulations to relocate loading areas and eliminate on-street parking;
- Construction of bus stations and landscape and streetscape improvements.
North/South Connectors
(W. 3rd, E.12th, 13th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22nd Streets and Chester Avenue.)
The redistribution of bus traffic on all these streets between St. Clair Avenue and Euclid Avenue will avoid concentration of the bus traffic on any one street. This also provides bus services to streets parallel to and in close proximity to Euclid Avenue for easy accessibility to employment, retail and residential centers in downtown Cleveland.
Curb to curb reconstruction will be done on E.12th and 13th Streets between Superior Avenue and Chester Avenue. Curb to curb reconstruction will also be done on Chester Avenue from E. 12th Street to E.17th Street. Roadway and sidewalk reconstruction will be carried out on E.17th Street between Chester Avenue and Euclid Avenue. E.17th Street will also be extended from Euclid Avenue to Prospect Avenue involving both roadway and sidewalk construction. The following streets will also be used to redistribute the bus traffic, however, no reconstruction will occur due to the low volumes of buses on these streets: W.3rd Street; E. 17th Street from Chester Avenue to Superior Avenue; E. 18th, E. 21st and E.22nd Streets from Prospect Avenue to Payne Avenue; Payne, Chester and Prospect Avenues from E. 17th Street to E. 22nd Street.
Bus Maintenance Facilities Modifications
Necessary modifications to Hayden Garage Facility and Central Bus Maintenance Facility will be made to maintain the Euclid Corridor Vehicles. Modifications include additional lifts to accommodate the 60' vehicles and structural modifications to facilitate the proper movement and storage of these longer vehicles.
Acquisition of Euclid Corridor Vehicles
The Euclid Corridor Vehicle (ECV) will be a 60 foot long, articulated, low-floor vehicle with three doors on the right hand side and two doors on the left hand side to accommodate the left and right hand boarding needs of the Euclid Corridor. The GCRTA will purchase 20 vehicles for the operational fleet and one vehicle for testing and training purposes, for a total procurement of 21 vehicles.
Separate Project
East Side Transit Center
The East Side Transit Center will include the following elements:
- Off-street bus loop
- Area for turning, staging, and layover
- Automated Passenger Information Displays (PIDs) about RTA's service
- Passenger Boarding and Alighting
The center will also include a climate-controlled facility where RTA passengers can wait comfortably in a secure environment.
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