The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is working with local communities to evaluate an extension of the Blue Line. The current effort is being pursued in three phases associated with the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) requirements for an Alternatives Analysis (AA) to determine a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). These are the necessary steps to consider placing the project within either New Starts or Small Starts funding.

The phases associated with the current study are:

• Phase 1: Definition of Purpose and Need, Goals and Objectives, and Initial Alternatives Screening
• Phase 2: Alternatives Development and Environmental Documentation
• Phase 3: Locally Preferred Alternative and Funding Identification

The project is currently in Phase 1. Progression to future phases shall be determined as the project advances. If the project is determined to be viable through the AA process, it may continue to the preliminary engineering phase of FTA New Starts. Typical timeframes for entire process from initial planning through construction can be at least 5 - 8 years, and many times much longer.

Study Area

The project study area is generally bounded by:

• An east-west line north of Chagrin Boulevard for the northern boundary
• A north-south line east of I-271 for the eastern boundary
• An east-west line south of I-480 and US-422 for the southern boundary
• A north-south line west of Warrenville Center Road for the western boundary

Of the ten municipalities included, five are completely bounded by the study area: Highland Hills, Warrensville Heights, North Randall, Woodmere, and Orange. Portions of five other municipalities are also located within the study area, including the majority of Pepper Pike and parts of Shaker Heights, Beachwood, Maple Heights, and Bedford Heights.

Purpose and Need

The purpose of the Blue Line Corridor Extension is to:

• develop transportation improvements that reach new transit markets located to the south and east of the corridor,
• improve transit connections between downtown Cleveland and the southeastern portion of the region,
• improve access for existing users of the corridor to destinations within the study area, and
• promote redevelopment and/or development along the existing and extended Blue Line corridor.

Among the defined transportation needs identified by the study:

• Lack of direct freeway access for trips between the southeast portion of Greater Cleveland and employment centers in downtown Cleveland and University Circle
• Congestion on more direct regional arterials that make trips by automobile slow, tedious, and frustrating
• Bus routes that serve the study area are slow and indirect for inbound travelers destined for Cleveland’s largest employment centers (downtown and University Circle)
• Lack of transit options that connect with the regional freeway network and offer park and ride opportunities for travelers
• Lack of direct, frequent transit service for trips between the existing Blue Line corridor and retail and job destinations in the study area
• Insufficient station/stop and travel time amenities for both existing users of the Blue Line and bus service within in the defined study area
• Land use patterns and densities that are generally unsupportive of transit

From those needs, the following four goals were developed that correspond to the required evaluation metrics for an FTA AA:

• Goal 1: Improve connections to downtown Cleveland from transportation markets south and east of the existing Warrensville-Van Aken station.
• Goal 2: Develop transit improvement concepts that promote development opportunities. Identify stop/station locations in areas ripe for development or redevelopment.
• Goal 3: Develop transit improvements while minimizing impacts to the natural and man-made environment.
• Goal 4: Develop a transit improvement strategy that is both efficient and cost-effective.

Alternatives Development and Screening

Coming soon. Meetings will be held in late January regarding the various alternatives for the project. This includes looking at various route locations as well as different modes (light rail, bus rapid transit, conventional bus). In addition to the meetings, information will be posted on this page for review and public comment.

We are now looking for your input on the needs assessment for the Blue Line Corridor Extension. Please review the presentation and questionnaire documents that were shared at the December 2nd and 3rd public meetings.

All commentary can be sent to bluelineextension@pbworld.com.