Shaker Boulevard was closed on March 20.  Looking east.
Below: looking north

For many months driving east on Shaker Boulevard, crossing Van Aken Boulevard with its Blue Line rapid tracks, was a car-rattling (and tooth-rattling) experience. Those in the know slowed down to a crawl. Those who didn't know soon learned.

John Horton, Plain Dealer Road Rant columnist, was on the case and told us that repairs were planned for 2013. Then on March 20 2012 he published the good news he had received from the RTA management: the schedule had been moved up and work was about to start.

Work did start on March 20. It was a big job: pull out everything, including the tracks, rebuild the bed, then re-lay the tracks with a new surface between them. Work would continue through the night. And six days later, as promised (see the sign above), the job was done!

Now cars drive through smoothly and quickly. So quickly that we think it won't be long before concerned citizens ask the RTA to do something about it.

Like putting a speed bump between the tracks.

Thank you RTA.

photos Arnold Berger