AQUEDUCT STREET: COMPLETE, LIVABLE AND GREEN

Aqueduct Street is one of IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE the first streets in Akron + Two 10-foot-wide lanes, full-depth reconstruction that will be replaced with + New curbs and curb bump-outs to calm traffi c a “complete, livable and + New sidewalk to provide a safe route for children green street” design. walking to school and for families taking evening strolls The design is a model for + New driveway aprons and stormwater inlets + One dedicated bicycle lane on the east side of the road future urban roadways. It to separate bicyclists from motorists combines people, motorists + Permeable brick pavers in the parking lane and environment-friendly + Facilities for the installation of fi ber optics features to create a safer, + Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) green street strategies for improvement of public heath and cost reduction more walkable street. + Sewer lining and repairs + Elimination of all lead water services + New water main PUBLIC HEALTH Green streets get their name from stormwater management features that AND COST SAVINGS capture rainwater and eliminate runoff into streams and rivers. The Aqueduct Street area drainage is a major tributary to the CSO area of Racks 26 & 28 near the Little Cuyahoga River. The green infrastructure features of this project will provide a sustainable solution for stormwater management in the area, as well as provide improvements to the overall aesthetics and streetscape. This project will save Akron taxpayers money. The use of Green Infrastructure in this project has the potential to save the sewer rate payers $6.7 million.

SAFER FOR The city’s vision of this project is to revitalize a typical city street fraught CHILDREN AND with common city street problems: a crumbling road surface; lack of EVERYONE defi ned space for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians; and excessive speeding. Citizens living in residential neighborhoods cite speeding as the number one problem in the city. A 2015 Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study reported that 85 percent of the cars on Aqueduct Street speed, with some clocked as high as 65 miles per hour.

THE NUMBERS MULTIPLE FUNDING SOURCES

The roughly 6,000 foot-long (1.14 miles) Aqueduct Street improvements will include 48,200 square-feet (1.11 acres) of green Ohio Public Works Commission Grant: $2,452,740 infrastructure capable of absorbing an estimated 525,000 gallons of water. The General Obligation (in-house design): $201,001 project will cost an estimated $7.9 million Special Assessments: $521,331 with funding from multiple sources: Water Capital Funds: $552,720

Sewer Capital Funds (OWDA Loan to Cover): $4,061,391 RESIDENTS’ SHARE Assessments to residents cover pavement, curb, sidewalk, driveways and house drains only. Sidewalks are the same as all sidewalk replacement projects within the city. Costs can either be applied to a 10-year assessment added to property taxes or be paid in their entirety upfront.

AKRON’S FUTURE Complete, livable, and green streets provide safe and desirable travel for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, and they reduce the environmental impact of our transportation infrastructure. This new view of urban streets is an important part of the city’s efforts to create vibrant, economically dynamic and equitable places in our neighborhoods, and they have been successful in other municipalities at attracting new residents and private investment.

QUESTIONS? Contact Randall W. Keirns, P.E. at 330-375-2167, email [email protected].