Sheffield, Sheffield Lake receives state help to improve bike and foot traffic

A state grant will help Sheffield and Sheffield Lake make a plan to improve bike and foot transportation. The municipalities have been selected to receive the Ohio Department of Transportation's Active Transportation Planning Assistance Grant, Sheffield Lake Mayor Rocky Radeff and Sheffield Mayor Bob Markovich announced in a joint news release Friday. The plan will seek to improve the safety, connectivity and accessibility of biking and walking within and between Sheffield Lake, a city, and Sheffield. "We are thrilled to receive this grant, which will allow us to prioritize active transportation infrastructure and improve safety and connectivity for our residents," Radeff said in the release. "This plan will be a cornerstone of our efforts to enhance quality of life in Sheffield Lake." Radeff told The Chronicle-Telegram that rather than providing money directly to the municipalities, ODOT would provide consulting to help Sheffield and Sheffield Lake craft their plan. The planning process will include a review of the existing transportation conditions and infrastructure in the area, crafting a prioritized list of improvements and gathering input form the communities to see what they want to see included. Friday's release said that the plan would include a strategy for implementation, monitoring and reporting. "This partnership with Sheffield Lake, ODOT and our valued community stakeholders reflects our shared commitment to creating safe and accessible transportation options for everyone," Markovich said in the release. "The Active Transportation Plan will lay the foundation of a healthier, more connected future." The release said that the focus on the plan will be on developing the walking and bicycling infrastructure in the two communities to create a network connecting neighborhoods, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake schools and the Lake Erie waterfront. It also said that public input will be "central to the process" and the public will be engaged through surveys, meetings and other outreach. Residents interested in getting involved with the planning process or learning more about the plan should contact Rachael Sommer, Sheffield Lake grants manager, at rsommer@sheffieldlake.net. Radeff said the city is waiting to hear from ODOT on when the state consultant will be arriving for their first meetings with officials from the two communities. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.