The Central Ohio region is expanding rapidly, bringing jobs and economic opportunity to our residents. By 2050, our 15-county region is on track to reach 3.15 million residents. To successfully meet the growing demand for transportation, Central Ohio will need a public mass rapid transportation system and the infrastructure to support it. An issue put forth by COTA on the upcoming November 5, 2024 ballot has the potential to help fund improvements.
**The information on this page is provided by COTA and LinkUS to inform residents about Issue 47. The City of Upper Arlington encourages all residents to be informed about the issue, and participate in early or in-person voting.
This is your chance to see — and influence — the blueprints for the future of our region. LinkUS is Central Ohio’s comprehensive transportation and development plan. It’s where safe sidewalks, fast and reliable public transit, protected bike lanes, and expanded trails meet (or as we like to say, “link.”). Explore how COTA will make historic investments in smart development to connect communities and create opportunities for a more equitable, sustainable region through LinkUS.
LinkUS is our region’s proactive transportation and growth plan — collaboratively created by COTA, the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) — to accommodate this major population growth by expanding COTA transit service and other transportation options.
Central Ohio, one of the fastest growing regions in the country, will increase by nearly 1 million people over the next 25 years. That means we are expected to have more than 3 million residents by 2050. More COTA service would keep our community moving forward and expand opportunities for all.
SERVICES
Increasing COTA service by 45% means faster, more reliable transit, improved connections to work, home and entertainment, and more walkable communities.
SIDEWALKS, BIKEWAYS
AND TRAILS
Building 500+ miles of sidewalks, bikeways and trails, improving pedestrian safety and quality of life to benefit every community.
OPPORTUNITY
Creating historic investments in communities that would help move people to and from work faster and more reliably.
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Faster and more reliable public transportation
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Safer and expanded sidewalks, bikeways and trails
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Walkable communities with more affordable access to work, home and entertainment
Proposed Service Improvements
- Heritage Trail extension (Old Hilliard to Arena District)**
- Zollinger Road multi-modal accommodations (Riverside Drive to N Star Road)**
- Henderson Road shared-use path (Dierker Road to Reed Road)**
- North Broadway shared-use path (Kenny Road to Olentangy Trail)**
- King Avenue shared-use path (North Star Road to Olentangy River Road)**
- Asbury Drive sidewalks (Zollinger Road to Lane Avenue)
- Additional sidewalks throughout Upper Arlington
Benefits
- Provides safer places to walk and bike
- Promotes a healthier, more active lifestyle
- Increases connections to Columbus and other surrounding communities
**Planned for implementation by 2030
Proposed Service Improvements
- New app-based, on-demand service for residents of Upper Arlington using 10–12 seater wheelchair-accessible vans
Benefits
- Offers convenient travel options to get around town beyond where fixed-route bus service is available
Proposed Service Improvement
- New service connecting OSU with Upper Arlington, Hilliard and Dublin**
- Phasing in late night service for line 3**
Benefits
- Provides new direct service for Upper Arlington residents to jobs, medical appointments and other destinations
**Planned for implementation by 2030
Proposed Service Improvements
- Northwest Corridor Bus Rapid Transit from Downtown Columbus to Ohio University campus (to be built in these phases)
- Phase 1: From Downtown Columbus to Bethel Road via Olentangy River Road
- Phase 2: From Phase 1 to Bridge Park using Bethel Road, Sawmill Road and State Rt. 161
- Phase 3: From Phase 2 to Ohio University campus using US33 and State Rt. 161
Benefits
- Provides Upper Arlington residents access at the King Avenue, Lane Avenue and North Broadway Street stations
- Delivers fast and efficient service that may include dedicated lanes, priority at traffic signals, off-board fare collection and elevated platforms so you can walk or roll directly onto the bus (no steps)
- Provides a convenient alternative to traffic congestion
These are proposed projects only. Based on funding, technical analysis and public input, projects would be refined, and this list could change. Implementation could occur 2025–2050.