Letters to the Editor

Paving delay presents new opportunity to make roadway safer

To the Editor:

The recent news that the repaving of Brecksville Road has been postponed to 2027 presents an opportunity for redesign of Brecksville Road to better serve Brecksville residents. The planned repaving would keep the existing spacing of traffic lanes within the right-of-way.

Before Interstate 77, Brecksville Road was the major thoroughfare between Cleveland and Akron. The five-lane right-of-way for Brecksville Road developed to serve those needs. Since the opening of I-77, car and truck traffic along Brecksville Road has declined. The right of way is now wider than it needs to be to accommodate present and future car and truck traffic.  

A recent study conducted by John Hopkins University, https://narrowlanes.americanhealth.jhu.edu/, shows that wider traffic lanes result in more deadly accidents

A better plan would reduce a portion of the right-of-way used for car and truck traffic to allow for a separate part used for pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooters.  For more than 40 years, Brecksville’s master plans have called for development of more pedestrian and bike paths, yet implementation has repeatedly failed. The delay in construction presents an opportunity to improve this important right of way infrastructure to better serve the needs of all residents.

The city administration should use the delay as an opportunity to redesign this important right of way and build a better Brecksville. 

Bob BelovichOld Quarry Lane