2021
In July 2021, the COTA Board of Trustees adopted three Locally Preferred Alternatives (LPAs), voting to move the East Main Street and West Broad Street BRT corridors into the Federal Transit Administration Capital Investment Grants program process.
The LinkUS public engagement process supported the technical analysis through stakeholder and public outreach to gather community feedback and insight. These community insights helped develop a 30% design for the East Main Street and West Broad Street BRT corridors.
2022
The project team engaged with residents to learn what mobility and transit enhancements could look like in 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 West Broad Street and East Main Street BRT corridors.
The West Broad Street BRT 30% design was completed in December 2022.
2023
In pursuit of federal funding, COTA submitted the West Broad Street BRT to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in August 2023 for evaluation and rating. As part of the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program, the FTA evaluates and rates projects by examining measures such as land use, mobility improvements, cost-effectiveness, environmental benefits and congestion relief. This allows the FTA to compare BRT projects nationwide and allocate federal dollars to large transit projects.
The 60% design continued to advance in tandem with the preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, which began in the fall of 2023.
The project team continued to meet with stakeholders at local tabling events and community meetings across the corridor.
2024
The project team completed the 60% design and began the 90% design while continuing environmental studies for NEPA.
The November referendum to fund the LinkUS initiative passed with approval from 57% of voters in the COTA service area.
Public engagement activities continued through 2024, with the outreach team attending 35 community events and speaking to nearly 3,700 people. Door-to-door canvassing along the corridor reached over 90% of all businesses, with the team conducting surveys and collecting contact information for future updates. The team also surveyed transit riders on COTA Line 10, reaching over 500 riders, 70% of whom use COTA service daily.
2025 and Beyond
The project team completed the 90% design phase in summer 2025, with work on the 100% design continuing through the year. Completion of NEPA documentation and its submittal to FTA is planned by year’s end.
Project groundbreaking is expected in early 2026, beginning with preconstruction activity, utility work and work on the future Rockbrook Crossing Park and Ride and Transit Center. Main construction will begin later in 2026 in phases, starting at the western end of the corridor and progressing downtown. Service is expected to begin in 2028.
The outreach team continued its work from 2024, attending 18 community events through July 2025 with more scheduled through the fall. The team will conduct a second round of business canvassing in fall 2025 to provide updates and verify contact information.
