Lakewood commits to 2-year Bunts Road overhaul despite some resident pushback

Lakewood is going ahead with a complete roadway, sewer and water rehabilitation on Bunts Road, even if some residents are not happy about it.

The $21.58 million project will overhaul the roadway, curbs and sidewalks along the major north-south corridor from Clifton to Lakewood Heights Boulevard. Additional plans include a new sewer system and replacement of water supply lines.

The proposal’s most controversial element is a 10-foot-wide shared-use path running alongside the road that the city hopes will relieve congestion and create a safer pathway for pedestrians. Critics fear the plan will draw a flood of cyclists, e-bikers and walkers. Bunts Road homeowner Jeff Dudzik joined 1,100 people in petitioning against the multi-modal path,citing 116 conflict points at residential driveways, business entrances and side streets.

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Unlike a typical sidewalk, shared-use paths are designed for pedestrians and cyclists and are separated from the road. In the case of Bunts Road, Dudzik is concerned about fast-moving  cyclists colliding with cars pulling out from the many driveways lining the west side of the high-volume artery. 

Despite discussions with local legislators, the city remains committed to the path’s current design, says Dudzik, a 25-year resident of Bunts Road. 

“Drivers get distracted by the volume of (vehicle) traffic, and may not see a cyclist going faster than a walker,” Dudzik says. “Introducing more cyclists makes it an issue of numbers. There will be more interactions because there will be more bikes.”

Dudzik, an avid cyclist himself, points to a frightening 2018 incident on Lakewood’s Madison Avenue bicycle path where his bike struck a car that cut him off. Dudzik flipped over the vehicle’s rear end, his helmet the only thing saving him from serious injury, he says. 

Residents pulling in and out of driveways may simply miss riders moving behind them on the proposed path, adds Dudzik.   

“There won’t be enough time to stop,” Dudzik says. “It’s about distracted driving, or (motorists) not seeing behind them. Having bicycles going 15 mph or e-bikes going 20 mph or more, a driver might be less likely to see someone.”

Defending the path

Lakewood officials say Bunts Road is an ideal location for a shared-use path because of its high traffic volume – about 7,800 vehicles per day, according to a study conducted for the city’s active transportation planning process. The off-street design will mitigate potential for pedestrian crashes while also creating a year-round connection to Lakewood High School, says the city’s Director of Public Works Chris Gordon.

Residents have additionally expressed concern about losing trees to the new path, although the city has plans to replace every tree removed during construction.

“The path physically removes bikers and pedestrians from the road, and puts them on a wider path where a sidewalk had existed,” says Gordon. “Moving non-vehicular traffic to the shared-use path creates a safer means of travel for everyone.”

Increasing the path’s footprint will further improve motorist sightlines, reducing blind spots and the potential for accidents, he adds.

“The shared-use path is larger than a sidewalk, so you have more of an area to see (pedestrians) when pulling from your driveway,” Gordon says. 

A look ahead

Lakewood will roll out construction on Bunts Road in two one-year stages, beginning in mid-April with general infrastructure improvements from Lakewood Heights to Franklin Boulevard. A second phase from Franklin to Clifton Boulevard will start in May 2027, with a November 2028 completion date.

The overall project includes full pavement and curb replacement, water main installation and modernized traffic signals. Funding derives from NOACA Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the City of Lakewood.

Lakewood resident Halley Gearhart does not live on Bunts Road, but drives and walks the street on trips to Detroit Avenue shops. Once she purchases a bike, Gearhart intends on becoming a regular user of the multi-modal path, she says.

“If we are a city that prides itself on being walkable and bikeable, we have to build infrastructure that accommodates those individuals,” says Gearhart. “I don’t like driving on Bunts Road, so I can’t imagine being a biker on the street.”

With Lakewood moving ahead on construction, Bunts Road homeowner Dudzik is considering his future options.

“I don’t know if this will push me to leave, but I do see this as a potential safety issue,” says Dudzik. “Anyone using the multi-use path will have to be vigilant, and be aware of traffic using those driveways. If I were in a position to talk to someone’s teen using the path, I’d say wear a helmet, keep it slow, and be aware that you’re crossing an intersection every 50 feet.”