Over 150 miles of sidewalks and trails proposed for central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Over 150 miles of sidewalks, bike paths, and trails are proposed for central Ohio as part of a $2 billion transit project.

The LinkUS Mobility Initiative is COTA's plan to overhaul public transportation in the area. While this primarily introduces bus rapid transit -- a public transportation system Columbus leaders have compared to light rail -- it also includes creating walkable communities with more affordable access to work, home and entertainment.

Working toward that goal, LinkUS announced 83 proposed projects Thursday with its partners MORPC, COTA, the City of Columbus and Franklin County. These projects are where the more than 150 miles of sidewalks, bike paths and trails come in across the region. By 2050, LinkUS is expected to add more than 500 miles of bike and pedestrian paths.

"These investments will change everyone's daily life for the better," said MORPC's Executive Director William Murdock.

An average of $50 million will be provided annually for these projects, which LinkUS called "transit-supportive infrastructure," as part of the program. A total of 40 communities worked together to choose the 83 projects, according to Murdock.

"They've prioritized the best projects to help their communities, connect people to transit, jobs, services and each other, and strengthen neighborhoods," Murdock said.

Examples of the projects include the Big Walnut Trail extension, which would connect Gahanna's district, parks and community centers to Tech Center Drive and Hamilton Road. With this infrastructure in place, users would be able to safely cross I-270 and Hamilton Road.

Millions of people are expected to move to central Ohio by 2050. LinkUS is local agencies' plan to accommodate that growth by making its transportation system larger and more modern. Thursday's announcement is a step toward creating walkable infrastructure for that increasing population.

"The result is a region with safer, equitable transit options, and is walkable, bikable and accessible for everyone," said Monica Tellez-Fowler, President and CEO of COTA.

A sales tax increase to fund LinkUS will go before voters in COTA's service area in the November election.

To learn more about COTA's plans for sidewalks and trails, including a map of the proposed projects, click here.