The design of restoration and improvements to the Red Line rail tunnel under Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will be finalized later this year. Construction is scheduled in 2011, as funding becomes available for the estimated $6 million project.

The Red Line tracks enter a tunnel under State Route 237 and continue under the airport access road and parking.

The planned construction will improve safety and restore the tunnel structure, track and drainage systems. The drainage system isn’t working as well as it should and often creates muddy tracks. At more than 40 years old, it is nearing the end of its useful life. While trains are operating safely now, this is an RTA repair priority in the future.

Proposed work includes:

• Clean existing drainage pipes and replace damaged ones.
• Install a trench drainage system at the tunnel entrance.
• Replace existing drainage pumps and controls.
• Replace the wood tie and stone ballast track structure with a concrete slab and integral blocks or "plinths" to support the rails.
• Repair tunnel structure roof and wall joints, including the concrete retaining walls at the tunnel entrance.
• Replace and restore the ventilation system fans and controls.
• Relocate the signal and communication cable conduits.
• Install a hand-operated "paddle" system to shut off the overhead power in the event of an emergency.