In 2004, the City of Cleveland adopted the Lakefront Plan. In July 2006, the Ohio Department of Transportation initiated engineering and environmental studies for the part of the plan known as the West Shoreway or the Lakefront West Project.

The Lakefront West Project — which received $49 million in federal transportation funds in 2005 — calls for converting the West Shoreway into a boulevard with a grassy median, reducing the speed limit from 50 to 35 mph, and adding at-grade streets that connect back into the city. 

A key goal of the project is to establish multi-modal — pedestrian, bicycle, possibly train and auto — connections to the Lakefront for adjacent neighborhoods. By establishing a new boulevard, the project also aims to open up more land for parkspace and for development as a new lakefront west neighborhood.

A subcommittee consisting of city of Cleveland planners, engineers, ODOT managers, community development corporations, and others are working with ODOT engineers to improve bicycle and pedestrian access at the following intersections:

• West Boulevard/Lake Avenue
• Clifton Boulevard/Lake Avenue
• West 76th Street (Ped/Bike only)
• Edgewater Park
• Father Caruso Drive (W. 73rd St. and W. 65th St.)
• West 54th Street
• West 49th Street/W. 45th St.
• West 28th Street/W. 25th St.

Access point alternatives will consider roadway, pedestrian and bicycle connections along the corridor. The timeline for the project is as follows:

2006: Identify, develop and select alignment of route
2007: Develop the plan
2008: Right-of-way acquisition
2009: Construction

The first public hearing will be held for the Lakefront West Project. For more information, call ODOT Information Officer Lora Hummer at 216-584-2007.