Niles debates installing guardrail | News, sports, jobs

NILES – During a city council meeting Wednesday, Niles Law Director Philip Zuzolo explained the reasoning behind an ordinance to install a guardrail at the intersection of Robbins and Hartzell Avenue.

The proposal, which was being read for a second time, is part of a response to repeated traffic accidents affecting nearby properties that have reportedly suffered damage over the years from vehicles unable to negotiate the bend.

According to Zuzolo, residents have reported multiple accidents involving vehicles going off the road and hitting nearby properties.

“Drivers come from Hartzell and when they are distracted or disturbed, they often fail to make the turn to Robbins,” Zuzolo said.

Some incidents date back as far as a decade, and more recent events since 2017 include an incident where a vehicle directly damaged the home.

City officials initially sought guidance from the Ohio Department of Transportation, which recommended signs such as double-arrow indicators as the first measure. However, after consulting with ODOT and considering other protective structures such as bollards (steel posts), officials decided a guardrail might be more effective.

“ODOT was against the use of bollards in this situation and instead recommended starting with signage and, if problems persisted, considering moving to a guardrail,” Zuzolo said.

The city also considered the potential liability of installing bollards that conflict with ODOT recommendations.

“While ODOT is the state expert and we are not required to follow their advice, it is best practice to adhere to their guidelines,” Zuzolo said. “ODOT advised us to start with signs, and if those don’t solve the problem, we’ll move to a guardrail, which should provide more effective protection.”

Some council members expressed hesitation about bypassing the signage and going straight to a guardrail. Still, Zuzolo recommended that a guardrail would substantially meet ODOT’s safety recommendations and limit liability risks for the city. The ordinance is expected to continue moving through council as officials weigh the best long-term solution to improve safety at the intersection.

Council members briefly went into executive session to discuss the city seal ordinance at 6:06 p.m., returning about 15 minutes later. After the session, the city council adopted a number of important ordinances, including measures to control illegal discharges and illegal connections, repeal and reinstate the city’s standards for stormwater management control, establish updated standards for erosion and sediment control during soil disturbing activities, and matching general fund funds for a city-funded business grant program to support community economic development.