​ Mobility | The City of Lakewood, Ohio

Mobility

Providing safe, convenient, and integrated transportation options throughout the community


With over 180 miles of sidewalks and 90 miles of streets, Lakewood is recognized as Ohio’s most walkable city based on the nationally recognized ranking system Walk Score. An estimated 77 percent of Lakewood residents commute to work by car, while a combined 10% walk or use public transportation. Based on a 2010 traffic analysis, approximately 1,100 pedestrians and 225 cyclists pass through downtown in a typical six-hour period.

The city is served by six bus lines (RTA routes 25, 26, 43, 55, 78 and 83), as well as two rapid rail stations (W 117th and Triskett). In 2013 two of these bus routes (55 Clifton, and 25 Madison) are scheduled to receive significant investment in the form of enhanced transit waiting environments.

Lakewood’s Bicycle Master Plan was adopted by City Council in 2012 and has led to several significant milestones such as the installation of 16 bicycle signs and more than 50 new bicycle racks citywide, including the region’s first on-street bicycle corral. Funds have also been allocated to introduce shared lane markings or “sharrows” on Detroit and Madison Avenues.

 

  • Biking Lakewood+-

    Click here for all the information you need about biking in Lakewood.

  • 180 miles of sidewalks+-

    The city of Lakewood is entering its eighth phase of a 10-year strategy to improve the city’s 180 miles of sidewalks and keep them among the most pedestrian-friendly in the state. Each year, the city sends inspectors to check the sidewalks for “trip hazards.” Residents with identified trip hazards have some options. They can pay to have the sidewalk fixed themselves or participate in a citywide bid with the city’s contractor — the idea being to lower the price for property owners.

    Residents with trip hazards will fall into one of two categories: Grinding the seams of the sidewalk (at approximately $50); or replacing (approximately $225/5’x5′ slab).

    If you have questions about the Sidewalk Replacement Program, please call (216) 529-6677 or email sidewalk@lakewoodoh.net.

  • Traffic Calming+-

    Click here to see information about Traffic Calming.

  • Transportation Pilot Projects+-

    Click here for information on the City’s Transportation Pilot Projects.

  • Pavement Maintenance+-

    Street pavement repairs can be divided into two categories: maintenance and capital reconstruction. The large capital reconstruction projects are managed by the Division of Engineering and Construction. Pavement maintenance consist of regularly scheduled operations such as filling cracks and rejuvenating newer asphalt surfaces, sealing the joints on concrete pavements as well as minor repairs such as pothole filling. In addition, contractors are hired to remove and replace larger sections of deteriorated asphalt pavement.

    2024 Public Works Project Outlook

    2023-2024 Improvement Project Outlook

  • Potholes+-

    Important Information About Potholes

    Freeze-thaw cycles in the winter, as well as consistent salting and plowing have a significant impact on streets. The Division of Streets is working to get pot holes patched as quickly as possible, weather permitting.

    The best time for pothole repairs are on dry days when the temperature is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above.  Cold patch is a temporary fix that is pliable in cold weather and is made from aggregate and an asphaltic material.

    The City has three crews working three shifts per day to repair potholes on the city’s 224 streets, weather permitting. Potholes are rated and prioritized to be fixed according to severity of the pothole and the location of the pothole (main street, busy side streets with a lot of traffic, other side streets).

    When holes are fixed in the winter, the material used is only a temporary fix until spring. In warmer months a hot asphalt mixture is used, which permanently repairs the hole.

    If you would like to report a pothole, use the Report Problem/Concern form to report the location of the pothole (including the closest street address) and the pothole will be put on our list to be fixed.

    The Division of Streets thanks you for your patience and cooperation when reporting potholes.

  • Emergency Snow Parking Bans+-

    Whenever there is snow fall of four (4) inches or more within a twenty-four (24) hour period, the emergency snow ban takes effect. The snow ban restrictions on parking take effect without requiring an announcement by the City of Lakewood. In the event of a snowfall of four inches or more, parking is not permitted on streets posted as emergency snow ban streets. Motorists should always consult the posted signs, and be advised that in the event of a snowfall of four inches or more, the emergency snow parking bans will be enforced.

    The Emergency Snow Parking Ban streets are as follows:

    • Alger Road (Warren Rd to Lakewood Heights Blvd)
    • Athens Avenue (Carabel Ave to Belle Ave)
    • Belle Avenue (Clifton Blvd to Madison Ave)
    • Berea Road (W. 117th St to Lakewood Heights Blvd)
    • Bunts Road (Clifton Blvd to Lakewood Heights Blvd)
    • Clifton Boulevard (Webb Rd to W. 117th St)
    • Delaware Avenue (W. Terminus to Brown Rd)
    • Detroit Avenue (Gridley to W. 117th)
    • Hilliard Road (Riverside Dr to Madison Ave)
    • Lake Avenue (Webb Rd to W. 117th St)
    • Lakewood Heights Boulevard (Woodward Ave to Clarence Ave)
    • Madison Avenue (Riverside Dr to W. 117th St)
    • Riverside Drive (Detroit Ave to Ogontz Ave)
    • W. 117th Street (Edgewater Dr to Berea Rd)
    • W. Clifton Blvd (Clifton Blvd to Riverside Dr)
    • Warren Road (Clifton Boulevard to Lakewood Heights Boulevard

    Lakewood Codified Ordinance 351.26 contains the provisions of the emergency snow parking bans.

    Map of Emergency Snow Parking Ban Streets »

    During an emergency snow parking ban, residents without other parking, may park for free in the municipal parking lots.  Click the link below for a map of the available parking lots.

    List of Municipal Parking Lots which may be used during an Emergency Snow Parking Ban »

  • Leaf Pick Up+-

    The annual fall leaf collection program begins in November and continues for a minimum of three collections over a six week period. This schedule will generally be adjusted to account for interfering weather conditions. Leaves and other yard wastes are collected at other times throughout the year when residents place them in the standard paper yard waste bags on the regular refuse collection days.

    Click here for 2024 Leaf Collection Schedule.

  • Street Signs and Traffic Signals+-

    This Division maintains all street signs, traffic signals and pavement striping in the City. A full-time Professional Engineer experienced in traffic engineering is on staff to perform studies and designs to improve the safety and efficiency of traffic flow in our community. The Signs and Signals Shop, located on City property behind the Beck Center, contains a fully equipped sign manufacturing facility. The Signals crew is on 24 hour call to quickly respond to inoperative traffic signals due to storm damage.

  • Street Sweeping+-

    This Division maintains two modern street sweepers that are employed throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons. The purpose of the street sweeping program is to remove trash and grit that can enter the sewer system as well as to help provide a tidy appearance to our community. The street sweepers also assist with the fall leak collection process. We ask that all residents who use on-street parking to please move their cars when the street is posted for sweeping. This will enable our crews to do a much more thorough cleaning job.

  • Parking Permits+-

    PARKING PERMITS-GENERAL INFORMATION

    All parking permits (new and renewals) are handled in the Police Department during normal business hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, excluding weekends and holidays.  For a new permit, an application may be completed at the front counter of the Police Department during these hours.  To renew a permit, you may report to the Police Department during these hours before the expiration date listed on your permit.   Payment may be made by cash, check, or credit card and a new application is needed only if information has changed since your last renewal. Permit must be hung from rearview mirror of vehicle while parked in permitted area.  Failure to do so could result in a parking citation.  Any permit used after its’ expiration date is invalid and will also subject you to a parking citation.  No refunds will be issued for any permit, under any circumstance.

    RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMITS:

    Residential permitted streets include Arlington, Baxterly, Belle (Detroit to Clifton only), Blossom Park, Concord, French, Manor Park (Detroit to Merl only), Norton, Robinwood, and Warren (Detroit to Clifton only).  Residents of that street may obtain a permit to park during the restricted hours posted on the signs.  Proof of residency in permitted section of street is required to obtain a residential permit, no exceptions.  Residential permits are issued on a 1 year basis, always expiring June 30th, and are $5 per permit.

    MUNICIPAL LOT AND METER PARKING PERMITS:

    Municipal lot and business meter permits are issued on a 6 month basis, always expiring June 30th or December 31st, with the fees ranging from $100 to $250 per permit.  Municipal lot permits are on a first come first serve basis and availability is very limited.  Please call Janet Smith of the Police Department (216) 529-6749 to check availability and be placed on a waiting list should none be available at that time.  Failure to renew your permit within a week of its expiration will result in the forfeiture of said permit, and the permit will then become available for reissuance.

    Further questions?  Please feel free to contact Janet Smith at (216) 529-6749 or the Records Room at (216) 529-6785.

    • For the municipal parking lot permit, click here.
    • For the residential street parking permit, click here.

  • Snow and Ice Control Plan+-

    Click here to view the City of Lakewood Snow & Ice Control Plan.

    City of Lakewood Snow and Ice Control:

    The City of Lakewood’s snow and ice control efforts promote safe vehicular travel during the winter months. The City attempts safe passage on all city streets at all times. However, keep in mind that each snowfall presents different conditions that impact the snow and ice removal process, such as the rate and accumulation of snowfall, moisture content, temperature, time of day or night, wind direction and speed and the duration of the storm, with the result that no two storms are ever identical.

    The City of Lakewood is responsible for snow and ice control for a total of 228 lane miles (i.e. Clifton Blvd has six lanes plus one turn lane = 22 total miles).

    Streets are treated and plowed based on three categories of route priorities: primary, secondary, and residential. All routes are treated by priority beginning with primary, then secondary, and finally residential.

    • Primary routes include major thoroughfares, emergency routes, designated hills, and bridges. Primary routes will be continuously treated and plowed until a bare pavement condition exists.
    • Secondary routes are roadways collecting traffic and leading to major thoroughfares, traffic signal locations, and other areas necessary for the delivery of public services. Secondary routes will be continuously treated and plowed until a bare pavement condition exists.
    • Residential routes are all other remaining streets. While a bare pavement condition is desirable on residential routes, the City utilizes Sensible Salting practices whenever possible to reduce salt usage and pollution of local waterways while ensuring safe conditions. As a result, during certain snow and ice events salting may be limited to areas proximate to and through intersections.

    Click here to view the Snow & Ice Priorities Map.

    Public parking lots and facilities will be treated as necessary depending on operational schedules for the use of such facilities.

    Click here for Snow Removal FAQs.

    More information about snow removal:

     

     

  • Snow Removal FAQs+-

    How does the City decide what streets are plowed first?

    In removing the snow and ice, the City responds first to all main roads, bridges, hills and secondary main roads which must be kept passable to provide a safe transportation network to the largest volume of people. Once these areas are in passable condition, crews head to clear the residential side streets.

    Why does the plow not remove all the snow from my road?
    On residential side streets, the plow blade has “guards” that keep the blade just a fraction above the roadway surface. This is done to prevent damage to vehicles and equipment and help limit the damage to the asphalt and concrete road surface and damage to other infrastructure such as manholes, catch basins or water valves.  Streets with low traffic volumes may remain snow covered longer. Salt is not very effective during heavy snow fall on side streets due to the low traffic volume needed to help activate the melting agents in road salt. Salt will be applied on side streets when the snowfall has slowed or stopped and when conditions exist that will make it effective or necessary. Salt applied on side streets with low vehicle traffic and during the course of active snow fall will get plowed out of the streets and unto tree lawns, thereby squandering the use of the costly resource and the time, labor and equipment spent and used to deliver it. Salt is always applied within approximately 100 feet of all side street intersections and on all hills when side streets are plowed.

    Why do the snow plows push snow into my driveway apron and who is responsible for clearing it?
    Unfortunately, it cannot be helped and we apologize for the inconvenience it causes you. The snow must be removed from the traveled portion of the road for public safety.  Snow left in driveway aprons by the city while snow plowing is the residents’ and owners’ responsibility to remove.

    Why doesn’t the city clean my driveway apron?
    There are approximately 15,000 driveway aprons in the City. The time and cost to clean all the driveway aprons is prohibitive. 

    Can snow from my driveway be blown or plowed into the street?
    Snow may not be pushed or blown into the street from private property, nor may it be pushed onto your neighbor’s property.  Please remind your snow plow service that they are not permitted to push snow onto the street or onto property that it did not fall upon.

    Who is responsible for removing snow from the sidewalks?
    According to City of Lakewood Ordinance 521.06, property owners are responsible for keeping the sidewalks clear of debris as well as snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall.

    Why doesn’t the city salt the side streets?
    We do salt side streets on a limited basis as conditions warrant. Excessive road salt usage is costly, has a negative environmental effect and reduces the longevity of the road surface.  For more information see our Salt Reduction Strategy.

    Parking During a Snow Storm

    Residents must obey all parking signs and winter parking restrictions. To provide effective snow removal, the City may order that special parking restrictions be put in place. These restrictions will be announced through the media.

    Further Questions:

    Contact the City of Lakewood Streets and Forestry Department at (216) 529-6810.

  • Woodward Avenue Traffic Data+-

    safe_image

    The city began monitoring traffic flow on Woodward Avenue in 2011.

    In an effort to reduce speeds on the residential street, the city installed six chicanes, creating extra bends — or what’s known as a modified S design — on the street to slow traffic for safety.

    Below is data collected from Woodward Avenue — before and after the pilot project began.

    1483 Woodward, Aug. 20, 2013

    1523 Woodward Avenue, Aug. 30, 2012

    1523 Woodward Avenue, Oct. 3, 2014

    1539 Woodward, July 29, 2011

    1551 Woodward, Sept. 16, 2011

    1555 Woodward, April 30, 2014

    1555 Woodward, May 18, 2014

    1555 Woodward, May 1, 2013

    1578 Woodward, Dec. 11, 2012

    1582 Woodward, March 4, 2015

    1582 Woodward, Aug. 21, 2014

    1603 Woodward, May 9, 2012