Strongsville is pursuing $1.1 million in state funding to enhance the intersection of Albion and Prospect roads. City officials have identified the need for this expansion due to rising traffic levels in the area. Without state financial support, the estimated $2.6 million project may face significant hurdles moving forward.
On September 2, 2023, the Strongsville City Council unanimously authorized the administration to apply for the much-needed state funds. If approved, the city expects to learn the outcome in December. Currently, Albion Road remains a two-lane thoroughfare, extending east to west from Strongsville to Lorain County. The intersection with Prospect Road features additional turning lanes, but congestion persists.
The proposed enhancements include the addition of a right-turn-only lane from eastbound Albion onto southbound Prospect, as well as the lengthening of existing left-turn lanes at the intersection. Councilman Jim Carbone raised a pertinent question during the council meeting regarding the city’s commitment to these improvements if state funding is secured. He referenced the city’s master plan, approved in 2019, which suggested a roundabout as a potential solution at this busy intersection.
In a statement following the council meeting, City Engineer Lori Daley noted that the city had previously addressed traffic concerns at this intersection. After receiving numerous complaints about congestion in 2012, Strongsville enlisted the expertise of R.E. Warner & Associates in North Olmsted to conduct a comprehensive study. “This initial study suggested traffic flow could greatly be improved by adding the appropriate turning lanes and signalization,” Daley explained.
To move forward with the recommendations, the city allocated $228,780 for the design of the intersection expansion and spent an additional $48,000 for property acquisition necessary for the project. In 2017, further collaboration with R.E. Warner resulted in an additional investment of $47,500 to incorporate a water main replacement into the project.
The 2019 master plan reiterated the need for improvements at the Albion Road and Prospect Road intersection, emphasizing options for either conventional signalization or a roundabout. As city officials await a decision on the funding application, the proposed upgrades could significantly alleviate traffic issues and enhance safety for motorists in Strongsville.