E. 79th Street Light Rail Station

On December 15, 2022, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) All Stations Accessibility Program awarded $8 million to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) for use in improving the E 79 St. Blue and Green Line Station to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.  The GCRTA will be adding an additional $2 million in local match to the project.

The GCRTA’s E. 79 St. Blue and Green Line Station was built in the early 1980’s and serves rail system on the east side of the City of Cleveland, located between Opportunity Corridor and Kinsman Road.  The station is elevated above the street level and is accessed by a single stairway, isolating it from the surrounding neighborhood.  No ADA accessible entrance is provided.  The conditions at the station are poor.  The concrete platform and walks are deteriorating and beyond their useful life.  The stairs are covered by a canopy, but little other protection is provided from the elements for passengers waiting at the station. In 2021 the trackwork was replace as part of the Light Rail Track Rehabilitation Program.

The primary goals of the project are to rehabilitate the station and bring it into compliance with current ADA standards, improve connections into the neighborhood, and provide Transit Oriented Development opportunities for the area.  A Transportation for Livable Communities Imitative (TLCI) East 79th Street Corridor Study was completed in 2018.  The reconstruction of the E. 79th Street Light Rail Station is identified as an important element for the redevelopment of the Corridors Residential Core.  The station’s improvements are key to increasing accessibility within the district.

Design Elements:

• Construct a new Head House located along E. 79 St. to serve as both an entrance to the rail station and bus waiting environment.
• Provide new ADA compliant access to the station’s platforms form both E. 79 St. and Hillside Community Park.  Access will be provided via newly constructed concrete ramps and stairs.
• Replace the existing platforms with new concrete platforms and construct new waiting areas to provide protection from the elements.
• Construct new Mini-High high platforms to provide ADA Access to the trains.  
• Upgraded security and lighting throughout the station
  • Lighting levels will be increased to meet GCRTA’s Safety & Security Requirements
  • Cameras and emergency call boxes will communicate directly with GCRTA Transit Police
• Project will be designed and constructed to meet the requirements of SITES Sustainability Program
• Provide station amenities: Bike Racks, Trash and Recycling Receptacles, Station Signage, etc.

Project Budget:

• $10 million

Project Schedule:

• August 2023 to October 2024
• Bidding: November 2024 to February 2025
• Construction: March 2025 to September 2026