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 (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program process.
The LinkUS public engagement process supports the technical analysis of these projects through stakeholder and public engagement to gather feedback and insight from the community. These community insights were used to help develop a 30% design for the East Main and West Broad Street BRT Corridors.
2022
Our project team met with hundreds of residents to learn more about what enhancements to mobility and transit can look like in central Ohio neighborhoods. From virtual meetings to community festivals and a bike-a-long event, LinkUS reached more than 10,000 residents and businesses to spread the word about the West Broad and East Main Street BRT Corridors. The West Broad Street BRT 30% design was completed in December 2022.
2023
In pursuit of federal funding for the project, in August 2023, COTA submitted the West Broad Street BRT to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for an evaluation and rating. As part of the Capital Investment Grant (CIG), FTA evaluates and rates projects by exploring measures such as land use, mobility improvements, cost effectiveness, environmental benefits, and congestion relief.
This allows FTA to compare bus rapid transit projects across the country and allocate federal dollars to large transit projects. The 60% design continued to advance as well as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
documentation preparation which began in fall 2023. The project team continued to meet with stakeholders at local tabling events as well as at local meetings across the corridor communities.
2024 & Beyond
The project team anticipates finalizing 60% design and proceeding toward 100% design through 2024. Additional coordination will occur with the FTA including completion of NEPA documentation in 2024 and in pursuit of a Small Starts Grant Agreement in summer 2025. Construction of the West Broad Street BRT is anticipated fall 2025 through fall 2027. More detailed communication will be shared with the public as the project team advances toward construction. The West Broad Street BRT is anticipated to open for revenue service in late 2027/early 2028.
