Your resource for all things LinkUS. Take a deeper dive into the initiative, hear from the community and receive updates on the project right to your inbox.

LinkUS will create more ways to walk, ride and roll with the help of transit-supportive infrastructure (TSI), built to make it more convenient, safe and easy to get around, including:

• Making 500+ miles of sidewalk, bikeway and trail improvements
• Increasing access to public transit
• Connecting people to more opportunities

See LinkUS through the eyes of a transit-focused engineer and resident of Columbus. What inspires her: creating transportation options

that serve everyone on the road.

The West Broad Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor will be the first rapid transit corridor built as part of the LinkUS initiative. This corridor will…

• Connect the community to 95,000+ jobs by 2040
• Include approximately 17 stations
• Operate in a primarily dedicated median guideway, making travel times more quick and reliable

Engineering design tracks progress through percent complete milestones. When we reach 100% design, the project will be ready for construction. During this phase, we will:

• Estimate construction costs
• Develop a service plan with initial operations and maintenance costs
• Finalize station design considerations, including amenities, bicycle and pedestrian access and more
• Complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process (expected completion in summer 2024)

CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY

• In September, we walked door-to-door throughout the entire 9.3-mile West Broad Street Corridor to connect with local businesses, provide an update on the project and supply contact information for future questions.
• This month, we are providing updates to area commissions and boards of trustees.

HAVE QUESTIONS? LET'S TALK!

If you work with or represent a neighborhood, housing complex, large or small business, advocacy group or a community service organization on or near West Broad in Prairie Township, Franklin Township or central Columbus, send a message to [email protected].

FUNDING UPDATES

We’ve been hard at work applying for grants to bring the West Broad Street Corridor to life as efficiently as possible.

Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning

This funding would produce a plan focused on equitable transit-oriented development with public input, following a study around the corridor.

Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program

Capital Construction & Regional Partnerships Challenge  — Funding from these grants would go toward construction, professional services and right-of-way costs for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) portion of the project.

Transportation Review Advisory Council Major New Capacity Program

This program’s funding would help with construction costs for the BRT portion of the project.

Ohio Transit Partnership Program

Grant awarded! Analysis on the fourth and fifth LinkUS corridors is set to begin.

LinkUS progressing in bringing rapid transit to Franklin County

NBC4 Columbus shares how LinkUS will make transportation faster, safer and more reliable.

One big thing: Lessons from a long walk

“Between the lines: Disparities became obvious between West and East Broad Street neighborhoods. Three-fourths of West Broad Street residents live in an area of "persistent poverty," according to LinkUS, a regional initiative that proposes much-needed infrastructure improvements.”

COTA targets year-out sales tax increase for $8 billion LinkUS super-corridors

"With voters passing property tax levies for Columbus City Schools, Columbus Metropolitan Library and others in Franklin County communities, the Central Ohio Transit Authority is now looking to next November when it expects to ask county voters to double its portion of the county sales tax from 0.5 to 1%. The additional money will be needed, in part, for the creation of LinkUS."

We’ve been busy connecting with people all over the city to share updates and collect feedback.

STAKEHOLDER LAUNCH EVENT 

On Sept. 14, we hosted a stakeholder launch event and shared more about LinkUS with over 100 nonprofit partners at MORPC, who were invited to raise awareness at their organizations about the project and help spread the word about LinkUS.

Big Table Event

On Oct. 11, we joined the community for a conversation about LinkUS and what the Central Ohio region could look like, as well as an update on the project.

Summit on Sustainability

It was standing room only at the LinkUS breakout session on Oct. 26 at MORPC’s Summit on Sustainability. We led a discussion and shared our plan to navigate Central Ohio’s projected growth in a way that creates opportunities for all while minimizing our carbon footprint. By building on the foundation of previous studies and plans and creating more options to get around without a car, we’re laying the foundation for more sustainable options to get from A to B.

Listening Session

The Columbus City Schools engagement session on Nov. 2 was informative and insightful. We look forward to connecting with even more organizations and agencies as we move this initiative forward. Thank you to everyone for the valuable insights and feedback!

Schedule A Listening Session

Want to learn more about LinkUS and share your thoughts? Organizations and businesses looking to get involved can schedule a listening session, ideal for groups of 5-10, to hear directly from LinkUS and give feedback.