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Cleveland Residents Hear First AeroZone Transportation Study Briefing

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 0:02 GMT by 19 Action News

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Community Members Learn About AeroZone Transportation Study That Centers Around Airport

On Wednesday, November 14, 2025, residents, business owners, and local officials gathered at the Cleveland Community Hall to hear the first public briefing on the new AeroZone Transportation Study—a comprehensive assessment of how the city’s expanding air‑transportation hub will affect traffic, noise, and the environment for the surrounding neighborhoods. The meeting, hosted by the Cleveland Airport Authority (CAA) in partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the city’s Planning & Development Department, drew an enthusiastic crowd eager to understand how the proposed changes will shape the region’s future.

What Is the AeroZone Transportation Study?

The AeroZone study is a multi‑disciplinary analysis that aims to evaluate the infrastructure, operational, and community impacts of the airport’s planned expansion. The project is financed through a combination of federal grant money from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), state funds, and a contribution from the CAA’s own revenue stream. The study’s primary goals are:

1. Assessing Traffic Flow – Modeling projected increases in vehicular traffic to the airport, including passenger, freight, and service vehicles.
2. Noise Impact Analysis – Quantifying expected changes in aircraft noise levels over residential and commercial properties, and exploring mitigation strategies.
3. Environmental Evaluation – Identifying potential effects on local ecosystems, air quality, and water runoff patterns.
4. Public Transportation Feasibility – Investigating opportunities to integrate rail or bus rapid transit to reduce road congestion.
5. Economic Impact Projection – Estimating job creation, real‑estate values, and ancillary business growth.

The study is slated to be completed in four phases, with the first two phases already finished and presented at last month’s city council meeting. The November 14 briefing marked the first time the public received a synthesized overview of all four phases.

Key Findings from the Preliminary Report

According to the report released by the CAA, the following points were highlighted:

• Traffic Increase Projections
  AeroZone projects a 30‑35 % rise in daily traffic on Highway 10 and Airport Boulevard over the next decade. This is driven by a forecasted 12 % increase in commercial flights and a 25 % rise in private jet usage.
  The report recommends smart traffic signal coordination and the construction of a dedicated turnaround lane for service trucks.

• Noise Level Changes
  While the average noise at residential zones is expected to stay within FAA limits, specific high‑traffic corridors could experience up to a 5‑dB increase during peak hours. The study suggests installing sound‑attenuating barriers on the most affected streets.

• Environmental Concerns
  The airport’s expansion will require the repurposing of a 12‑acre wetland area. Mitigation plans include creating a new wetland elsewhere and planting native vegetation to preserve local biodiversity. The report acknowledges the need for ongoing monitoring of water quality and bird migration patterns.

• Public Transportation Opportunities
  A bus rapid transit (BRT) line is proposed along Broadway, linking the airport to the downtown core. Additionally, a regional rail spur to the nearby Cleveland International Airport Station is under preliminary design, potentially reducing road traffic by 15 % in the first five years.

• Economic Upsides
  The study projects over 4,000 new jobs directly linked to the airport’s expansion, plus secondary economic growth in hotels, restaurants, and retail. Property values within a one‑mile radius are expected to rise by 7 %–9 % over ten years.

Community Reaction and Stakeholder Input

During the Q&A segment, residents expressed a mixture of optimism and concern. Highlights from the conversation include:

• Noise & Quality of Life
  A longtime homeowner in the Oakwood neighborhood voiced worries about increased nighttime noise. The CAA assured that noise barriers and flight path adjustments would be explored to protect the area.

• Traffic Congestion
  A local business owner noted that Morning Traffic currently bottlenecks on Airport Blvd. The study’s recommendation for a dedicated service lane and dynamic signal timing was welcomed, though many urged for earlier implementation.

• Environmental Preservation
  The Cleveland Environmental Coalition requested a publicly available environmental monitoring dashboard. The CAA committed to publishing monthly reports on air quality, noise, and wildlife observations.

• Public Transit Participation
  A group of students from the University of Akron asked whether the BRT line would be affordable for students and low‑income commuters. The BRT’s fare was revealed to be 30 % lower than current taxi rates to the airport.

• Economic Equity
  Several community leaders raised the question of how new jobs would be distributed. The CAA cited partnership with the city’s Office of Workforce Development to ensure training programs for local residents, especially those in underserved communities.

Next Steps and Future Engagement

The AeroZone study will now enter Phase 3, focusing on detailed design and stakeholder alignment. The timeline, as outlined by the CAA, is as follows:

• Phase 3 – Design & Engineering (2026‑2027)
  Detailed engineering studies for traffic lanes, noise barriers, and the BRT infrastructure.

• Phase 4 – Public Comment & Final Approval (2028)
  A 12‑month public comment period followed by a public hearing and final approval by the Cleveland City Council and the FAA.

During Phase 3, the CAA will host bi‑monthly workshops for community feedback, including an interactive online portal for submitting comments. The portal will also feature visual simulations of traffic flow and noise levels to help residents visualize potential impacts.

In addition to the public workshops, the CAA has pledged to:

• Expand the BRT Route to include additional stops along East 25th Street, thereby serving the Hobart and Shaker Heights communities.
• Implement a “Green Corridor”—a continuous stretch of native vegetation and stormwater wetlands along the airport perimeter—to offset the environmental footprint.
• Offer Job Training Grants—in partnership with the Cleveland Community College, providing apprenticeships for local high school graduates interested in aviation and transportation.

Final Thoughts

The AeroZone Transportation Study represents a bold step toward modernizing Cleveland’s aviation infrastructure while attempting to address community concerns about noise, traffic, and environmental stewardship. While the study’s preliminary findings indicate significant economic benefits and relatively manageable environmental impacts, the real test will be in how the final design is tailored to preserve residents’ quality of life.

Community members left the November 14 meeting with a clearer understanding of the project’s scope and a sense that their voices are being heard. The upcoming public comment period and subsequent design workshops will be crucial opportunities for citizens to shape the final vision of the AeroZone, ensuring that Cleveland’s expansion is both progressive and inclusive.