New Ohio collaboration promotes P3s to enhance regional mobility
Ohio – The city of Columbus, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission combined to launch the LinkUS initiative to foster public-private partnerships (P3s) that improve mobility in the region.
LinkUS will address traffic congestion, provide new mobility options, expand access to resources, and promote equity and economic vitality along critical regional corridors.
The new collaboration plans to implement high-capacity and advanced rapid transit, technology solutions, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and land use changes to achieve these goals.
The partners have identified several initiatives to support including transforming the Northwest Corridor into a regional transit connection. The corridor links major institutional and employment centers including The Ohio State University, the Ohio Health hospital campus, Grandview Yard, Downtown, and the Arena District. Public input sessions are planned for summer and fall 2020.
LinkUS also is creating a signature East-West mobility corridor within the region, featuring high capacity transit and connecting to other multimodal options. It will first identify a locally preferred alternative with a design and alignment study.
Future initiatives will focus on north, northeast, southeast, and Airport-Easton corridors.