June 21, 2017: RTA completes work on Mayfield Road streetscape

RTA is celebrating the completion of the newly renovated streetscape on Mayfield Road near the Little Italy - University Circle Station.

 June 21, 2017: RTA completes work on Mayfield Road streetscape

Jun 20, 2017

CLEVELAND -- The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is celebrating the completion of the newly renovated streetscape on Mayfield Road near the Little Italy - University Circle Station.

"Located under the CSX and Norfolk/Southern bridge, the sidewalk is now well-lit, safe, clean and brightly renovated and provides a vital link between Little Italy and the surrounding University Circle area, neighborhoods and new developments," said RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese.

"In August 2015, when we opened this new station, we promised that we would be back to make major improvements to the sidewalk, railings, streetscapes and walls under the bridge. We began the project in the fall of 2016, and we completed it on time and under budget," Calabrese said. 

The $1.6 million renovation of the 500-foot section of Mayfield Road was funded about equally between NOACA's Transportation Alternatives Grant and a TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

What the project includes

  • A new drainage system, with under-drains and additional structural supports under the bridge.
  • Repaired walls.
  • New railings.
  • Bright lighting along the sidewalk on both sides of the street.
  • Decorative mesh and LED lighting to match the Rapid Station. Those lights change color with the season or for special events and have a special pattern for the solstice.
  • RTA also did work along the abutments and shared additional repair work with CSX on the bridges, before final painting. 

Previously, the walls under the bridge were peeling and crumbling, and mud and debris was seeping from the walls and along the sidewalk. "The area had limited lighting and was dark, dingy and damp," Calabrese said. 

Also part of the project, last summer a new mural was painted on the south side of the new wall by the bridge. The artist is Tim Shuckerow. 

"As always, we are grateful for collaboration of our friends at University Circle Inc., and the Little Italy Development Corp. They made this project a reality," Calabrese said.

The project contractor was Envirocom, and City Architecture was responsible for the design.

Photos on cleveland.com, June 21, 2017

Media Contact:

Linda Scardilli Krecic
216-356-3104
216-390-9605, cell