The Summit County Council has decided—by a 4 to 1 vote—on a connector road that will link Silver Creek to the Bitner Frontage Road.
Months of discussion and controversy left the Council focused on two options. On Wednesday they bypassed the so-called Frontage Road—which would have mostly paralleled Interstate 80—and instead chose an alignment, further north and up the hill, known as the Church Street option.
The Church Street option was supported by Council Members Roger Armstrong, Kim Carson, Chris Robinson and Glenn Wright. The dissenting vote came from Doug Clyde.
The two routes have been hotly debated in terms of their impact on neighboring residents, wetlands, and wildlife, and their ability to serve mass transit and alternative travel options.
One major reason for the road connector was to provide a second emergency access to Silver Creek.