Akron, Ohio–Summit County Engineer Alan Brubaker would like to alert motorists that effective April 4, 2017, 35 mph is the prima fascia speed limit for all County highways within Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The speed of vehicles has long been a safety issue within the park where pedestrians, joggers, and bicyclists comingle with motor vehicles along curvy and hilly county highways. The change in speed limits was authorized by House Bill 455 and enhances safety for the 2.5 million annual visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The previous prima fascia speed limit was 55 mph in the unincorporated portions of the National Park.
The last thing park visitors wish to encounter while enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of a national park are vehicles speeding along at 55 mph or greater past the many hikers, bikers, and horseback riders using the trails throughout the park. “While drivers, riders and pedestrians will still need to use common care and caution within the park, at least we will now be able to post the county’s park roads at a more reasonable speed limit,” Mr. Brubaker said.
While many National Parks have speed limits established by the park commissioner, the roadways within Cuyahoga Valley National Park are the responsibility of the State, County, Townships, and Cities and therefore their speed limits are governed by the Ohio Revised Code. This revision to the Ohio Revised Code will only affect County Highways since the Township Highways within the Park are already posted at 35 mph or less and the prima fascia speed limit within municipalities is already 35 mph.
Mr. Brubaker stated that this speed limit change will also have positive economic and environmental impacts. Setting a standard speed limit will minimize the need for costly speed reduction studies. In addition, the Federal Highway Administration requires different designs for high speed roads when utilizing federal funds to make highway improvements. The 35 mph speed limit will greatly reduce the need for expensive and environmentally damaging roadway alignment modifications. The dollars that would otherwise be used flattening the hills and smoothing the curves can be used to improve the safety of the highway facilities for all park users by providing paved shoulders for pedestrians, cyclists, and hikers to avoid vehicular traffic.
In 2015 it was reported that the tourists visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park created a $144 million dollar benefit to the area. A safer speed limit will make the National Park a more enjoyable tourist destination and create a positive economic impact in Northeast Ohio. The Ohio General Assembly is commended for making this change a reality.
Affected roadways:
Valley View Roadfrom the Cuyahoga County line to Chaffee Road
Chaffee Roadfrom SR 82 to Valley View Road
Highland Roadfrom Cuyahoga County line to Boyden Road
Brandywine Roadfrom Highland Road to Boston Heights corporate line
Riverview Roadfrom Cuyahoga County line to Peninsula corporate line
Boston Mills Roadfrom Black Road to Riverview Road
Boston Mills Roadfrom Richfield corporate line to Black Road
Columbia Roadfrom Black Road to Riverview Road
Black Road from SR 303 to Columbia Road
Brush Roadfrom Richfield corporate line to Black Road
Townsend Roadfrom Cuyahoga County line to Richfield corporate line
Wheatley Roadfrom Revere Road to Everett Connector
Revere Roadfrom Everett Road to Wheatley Road
Everett Roadfrom Revere Road to Everett Connector
Everett Connectorfrom Everett Road to Wheatley Road
Everett Roadfrom Everett Connector to Riverview Road
Riverview Roadfrom Cuyahoga Falls corporate line to Peninsula Village corporate line
Akron-Peninsula Roadfrom Cuyahoga Falls corporate line to Peninsula Village corporate line
Northampton Roadfrom Akron-Peninsula Road to Cuyahoga Falls corporate line
Quick Road from Akron-Peninsula Road to Cuyahoga Falls corporate line
Kendall Park/Truxell Roadfrom Akron-Peninsula Road to Akron-Cleveland Road
Ira Roadfrom Kemery Road to Cuyahoga Falls corporate line
Bath Roadfrom Shade Road to Cuyahoga Falls corporate line
Yellow Creek Roadfrom S. Revere Road to Cuyahoga Falls corporate line
Sand Run Roadfrom Akron corporate line to Yellow Creek Road
