NOACA transportation
planning sessions

What new transportation planning projects are scheduled for 2003? What new highway construction projects are scheduled for next year?

The Northeast Ohio Area Wide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is conducting a series of public forums to gain input on transportation programs and projects. Citizen suggestions may include ways to improve highway, bikeway and transit planning and projects. Other agenda items include:

• 2003 Overall Work Program
• Public Interaction Policy
• 2003 Transportation Improvement program
• 20-year Transportation Plan

The following dates are public meetings to discuss NOACA's transportation plans:

April 23—Medina County Administration Building—5-8:30 pm April 24—Lorain County Community College—5:30-8:30 pm April 30—Lakeland Community College—5-8:30 pm
May 2—KSU Geauga Branch—5:30-8:30 pm
May 8—Baldwin Wallace College—5:30-8:30 pm
May 9—CCC East—5:30-8:30 pm
May 14—CSU Levin College—11:30 am to 2:00 pm

The following is a list of FAQs provided by NOACA regarding its transportation planning. For more information, visit NOACA online:

What is NOACA?

NOACA, The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, is the metropolitan planning organization that serves Greater Cleveland (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina Counties). By federal law, NOACA is responsible for transportation and transportation?related environmental planning. We also perform other environmental and water quality planning. NOACA's goal is to make Northeast Ohio a better place to live and travel.

What is the Overall Work Program (OWP)?

Developed annually, the OWP contains transportation and environmental planning projects and programs in the Northeast Ohio region. Some planning efforts for this year's OWP includes evaluation of non-profit agencies for vans serving the physically disabled and the elderly, speed studies for SR2 and I-90 west in Lorain County, and a regional pavement management program.

What is the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)?

The TIP contains proposed highway, bikeway, enhancement and transit construction projects for the region. Federal law requires all transportation projects using federal aid to be listed in the TIP. These are projects expected to begin construction within the next four years. Projects are sponsored by communities, the Ohio Department of Transportation, county engineers or transit operators.

What is the TIP Priority List?

NOACA annually selects federal aid transportation projects according to their need, readiness and available funding. A few examples of the projects listed on the 2003 priority list are: Cuyahoga County—RTA bus replacements and the West Creek Connector Trail enhancements in the Metroparks; Geauga County—Auburn Road resurfacing in Chardon Township; Lake County—Pelton Road Bridge replacement in Willoughby; Lorain County—Colorado Avenue reconstruction in Lorain; and Medina County— upgrade traffic signals in the City of Medina.

What is the Transportation Plan?

The Framework for Action 2025 is the region's long range Transportation Plan. Included in the plan are projects that will be implemented within the next 20 years. Some of these projects are only visions at this point; others are in preliminary planning stages; and others may be getting close to implementation. The Transportation Plan must be updated every three years to review the list of major regional transportation projects planned in the Northeast Ohio region.

What is the Public Interaction Policy (PIP)?

The PIP contains NOACA policies related to public involvement, information and public access. It is NOACA's policy to be proactive in reaching out to the public to inform and encourage participation. The PIP is intended to include all citizens, groups, agencies and transportation providers within the NOACA region.

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