Avon Road Opening Vote Postponed

A vote by Avon City Council on agreeing to re-open Avon Road at the Westlake border was put off until next week.

Council members wanted clearer language in the ordinance on matters including how long the road would be open.

City engineer Robert Knopf said opening access to Avon Road at Westlake and closing Avon Road at Nagel Road during at least some of the construction of the Nagel Road interchange would save the project time and money.

Residents who live on Avon Road, or in developments off Avon Road, would be able to get in and out via Bradley Road in Westlake, mayor Jim Smith said, and would save the city having to pay for traffic control at the Nagel Road intersection, close to where eastbound on- and off-ramps to Interstate 90 will be built.

Not having to deal with traffic going on and off Avon Road would mean fewer delays and inspection costs for the project, Knopf said. He said savings could range between $120,000 and $180,000.

Westlake closed Avon Road at the city/county line in 2009.

Council members expressed concern that unclear language in the ordinance would allow Westake to close the road again. 

Ward 4 councilman asked about ambulance access outside of having to go east on Detroit Road all the way to Bradley, turning north, and then heading west on Avon Road. Knopf said that there was an unpaved service road behind nursing home that would allow for ambulances to get to homes on Avon Road or in developments off Avon Road.

Ward 2 councilman Dennis McBride said that the city would need to coordinate with to adjust bus routes.

The ordinance will be put before council at the Sept. 26 meeting at 7:30 p.m. at .