From Plan to Progress: See How LinkUS Is Delivering for Central Ohio

East Main Street is one of Central Ohio's highest-ridership transit corridors, connecting key destinations, neighborhoods and job centers.

The East Main Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line will run eight miles from Downtown Columbus to Reynoldsburg, featuring 17 stations, dedicated bus lanes, sidewalks and community amenities to improve connectivity and access.

BRT combines the flexibility of buses with rail-like benefits. Larger vehicles, signal priority and dedicated lanes will improve efficiency and reliability, while upgraded stations and frequent service make it a dependable, accessible option.

This investment expands how people move — improving access to jobs, education and healthcare while offering a strong alternative to driving as the region looks to add 700,000 new residents by 2050.

Rendering of the East Main Street Bus Rapid Transit corridor showing a dedicated red bus lane marked 'Bus Only,' a BRT station platform, and pedestrians and cyclists along the street.

What’s Happening on East Main

COTA is hosting community meetings and events for residents, businesses and stakeholders along the corridor to share the latest progress and gather input on upcoming opportunities.

Our team also offers customized presentations to explain LinkUS, share timeline updates and answer your questions — perfect for businesses, nonprofits, community groups and neighborhood associations.

Join Us Request a Presentation

East Main Bus Rapid Transit Corridor

East Main Street bus route that includes multiple neighborhoods like Bexley, Whitehall and Reynoldsburg.

BRT Stations and Community Access

The East Main Street BRT service will include 17 stations, running from Downtown Columbus through Bexley, Whitehall and into Reynoldsburg, with eight miles of dedicated guideway along the route.

BRT service will increase access to key community resources within walking distance of the corridor, including:

Pharmaceutical pills in green against a prescription bottle

A basket of produce from the grocery store in green

View the Future of East Main Street BRT

*Maps reflect 60% design stage and are subject to refinement during final engineering.

East Main Street BRT: Downtown Columbus

Travel along 3rd Street in Downtown Columbus and view major intersections, high-visibility crosswalks and the future Broad Street BRT Station.

View the Downtown Columbus Detailed Design Map*

East Main Street BRT: Whitehall

Travel along East Main Street and view how BRT will move throughout Whitehall with expanded medians and the future Maplewood Avenue Station with platform-level boarding and a covered shelter.

View the Whitehall Detailed Design Map*

East Main Street BRT: Kelton Avenue

Travel along East Main Street near Kelton Avenue to view the future Kelton Avenue Station, a micro-mobility hub and expanded sidewalks and crosswalks.

East Main Street BRT: Bexley

Travel along East Main Street in Bexley to view the future Pleasant Ridge Avenue Station with high-visibility crosswalks, a sheltered station area, platform-level boarding and protected medians for easy accessibility.

View the Bexley Detailed Design Map*

East Main Street BRT: Reynoldsburg

Travel along East Main Street in Reynoldsburg to view the future Haft Drive Station, a micro-mobility hub and U-turn movement capabilities at the intersection of Haft Drive and East Main Street.

View the Reynoldsburg Detailed Design Map*

Project Timeline & History

A project timeline tracker and history gauge bar that increases from 20% to 100% for the LinkUS initiative. The project/progress bar is similar to a thermometer.

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 & Beyond

In July 2021, the COTA Board of Trustees adopted three Locally Preferred Alternatives, voting to advance the East Main Street and West Broad Street BRT corridors into the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants program. Community engagement ran alongside that work, with public outreach informing the technical analysis and helping shape the 30% design for both corridors.

Two men in conversation outdoors along the riverfront, one wearing a navy polo and the other a green shirt with a hand raised mid-gesture, with the Columbus skyline in the background. The man on the left is Mayor Andrew Ginther.

The East Main Street BRT project was accepted into the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants program, the main federal funding source for large transit projects. That year, the project team engaged residents to gather input on mobility and transit enhancements across Central Ohio neighborhoods. From virtual meetings to community festivals and a bike-along event, LinkUS reached more than 10,000 residents and businesses about the East Main Street corridor.

Person at an indoor event table setting up green branded bags and materials, with a transit route map displayed behind them.

The project team continued advancing 30% design and engineering for the East Main Street BRT corridor alongside ongoing stakeholder and community engagement across the corridor.

Large group of COTA staff and community members posing in front of COTA headquarters, holding a 'Thank You Central Ohio' banner.

In November 2024, the LinkUS initiative passed with approval from 57% of voters in the COTA service area, securing the funding needed to move the project forward. With that foundation in place, the project team completed 30% design and engineering for the East Main Street BRT corridor.

Community member reviewing a project display board at an outdoor engagement event near a waterfront.

LinkUS also continued important public engagement efforts, connecting with more than 5,000 residents in nearly 50 public events, townhalls and open houses.

COTA staff member at an outdoor event tent booth, with a community member wearing a headband looking at branded materials on the table.

With 60% design complete, the project team is now advancing toward 90% design through summer 2026, with the goal of reaching 100% design by the end of the year. Coordination is ongoing between COTA, the City of Columbus, MORPC and downtown stakeholders on concurrent planning efforts within Downtown Columbus. Project staff is also planning business meetings, community events and pop-ups along the corridor to share the latest progress.

2021: In July 2021, the COTA Board of Trustees adopted three Locally Preferred Alternatives, voting to advance the East Main Street and West Broad Street BRT corridors into the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants program. Community engagement ran alongside that work, with public outreach informing the technical analysis and helping shape the 30% design for both corridors.
2022: The East Main Street BRT project was accepted into the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants program, the main federal funding source for large transit projects. That year, the project team engaged residents to gather input on mobility and transit enhancements across Central Ohio neighborhoods. From virtual meetings to community festivals and a bike-along event, LinkUS reached more than 10,000 residents and businesses about the East Main Street corridor.
2023: The project team continued advancing 30% design and engineering for the East Main Street BRT corridor alongside ongoing stakeholder and community engagement across the corridor.
2024: In November 2024, the LinkUS initiative passed with approval from 57% of voters in the COTA service area, securing the funding needed to move the project forward. With that foundation in place, the project team completed 30% design and engineering for the East Main Street BRT corridor.
2025: LinkUS also continued important public engagement efforts, connecting with more than 5,000 residents in nearly 50 public events, townhalls and open houses.
2026 & Beyond: With 60% design complete, the project team is now advancing toward 90% design through summer 2026, with the goal of reaching 100% design by the end of the year. Coordination is ongoing between COTA, the City of Columbus, MORPC and downtown stakeholders on concurrent planning efforts within Downtown Columbus. Project staff is also planning business meetings, community events and pop-ups along the corridor to share the latest progress.