By 2050, Central Ohio is expected to be a region of three million people. Today, most people rely on cars to get to and from their destinations. However, there is an opportunity to improve mobility choices and shape how the region grows in a manner that will increase transportation reliability, manage traffic congestion, support businesses and workers, provide access to housing, and improve quality of life.
LinkUS Mobility Initiative
LinkUS is Central Ohio’s transformational and comprehensive prosperity and mobility initiative. LinkUS will provide equitable mobility options for residents and visitors, ensure access to jobs and affordable housing, promote economic growth and improve sustainability. The innovative approach will include high capacity and advanced rapid transit, bikeways, green space, roadways, pedestrian improvements, and development along key regional corridors throughout Central Ohio. LinkUS will move our region forward. It is centered around the following principles:
Creating Great Places
The quality of our communities has never been more important in the decisions people make about where to live, work and invest. Generating economic opportunity, competing for talent and fostering local pride will require walkable, accessible, attractive and safe places.
Reinventing the Region
The significant anticipated population growth in the region makes it possible to re-imagine what central Ohio will look like and how it can become more equitable. This is a holistic idea about well-being that includes health and essential service.
Shaping the Future
A bold approach that attracts resources, identifies anticipated returns on investments, and ensures accountability will create the conditions for shared prosperity. Competition is as strong as ever, but compelling ideas and a committed leadership coalition can shape the future that is needed and deserved.
Providing Equitable Opportunity
Supporting people in the region in their desire for good jobs, high-quality affordable housing and strong neighborhoods is a priority. A key goal is to improve neighborhoods and expand opportunities for the people who live in them. LinkUS partners are committed to building a more equitable future for Central Ohio. Equitable access to quality housing, economic opportunities, and safe travel through our communities has been out of reach for too many and for too long. Reliable, efficient access to jobs, education, healthcare, and housing is fundamental to opportunity. It is especially important to LinkUS leadership that the effort benefit neighborhoods and households that have been subject to the negative impacts of systemic racism and public actions over time. The leadership of LinkUS commits to undertaking a meaningful, ongoing public engagement process that reaches a full spectrum of residents and stakeholders, particularly those who have traditionally not had a voice in the decision-making process.
Links major institutions and employment centers through a congested corridor. Includes a series of engineering challenges. Requires mode and alignment analysis. Phase 1 study (Broad to Bethel) has commenced in 2020 through a funding partnership between the City of Columbus, COTA, MORPC, OSU, and other public and private funders.
High Street (#2 & 102) COTA lines are highest ridership in region and run through the region’s densest residential corridor, connecting OSU’s Main Campus to Downtown Columbus. Continued transit infrastructure and service enhancements should be explored. Past studies have considered various modes and alignments options.
COTA implemented the CMAX (enhanced service/Arterial BRT) along Cleveland Avenue in 2018. NextGen and Corridor Concepts assumed partial alignment on abandoned rail right-ofway. Near-term relocation is unlikely, but continued transit infrastructure and service enhancement of existing route should be explored.
Various configurations studied via NextGen and JET (Jobs, Expansion and Transportation) Task Force (2014). Eventual integration into rapid transit system is desirable. Requires future mode and alignment analysis.
Rickenbacker connection is highly desirable to link workers to jobs. Some street alignments studied in NextGen and Corridor Concepts are physically constrained. Requires future mode and alignment analysis.
Both corridors are highly feasible for advanced rapid transit, operating within the existing street right-of-way. West Corridor is already experiencing dense residential in Hilltop and mixed use redevelopment in Franklinton, adding potential ridership to the already highly used COTA #10 corridor. The East Corridor offers opportunities to connect the east-side jurisdictions (Bexley, Whitehall, Reynoldsburg) to Downtown.
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