As residents of one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation, Hilliard and other Central Ohio voters will have a chance to support a significant transportation and economic development initiative at the ballot box this fall.
Known as LinkUS, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) initiative will create a dedicated funding stream for modernized and increased transit, sidewalks and bikeways.
The City of Hilliard is working with COTA, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, Franklin County, and the City of Columbus to ensure our community is part of shaping the LinkUS vision and implementation plan.
“It is crucial that the City of Hilliard be part of the dialogue, and that we’re working hand in hand with other entities throughout Central Ohio to prepare our communities for the challenges and opportunities that our growing increases in population will create,” said City Manager Michelle Crandall. “The City just completed updating its long-range Comprehensive Plan, and the COTA LinkUS initiative aligns with our community’s own vision for a safe, walkable, environmentally secure future.”
In November, COTA will ask voters in Franklin County and parts of Delaware, Fairfield, Union and Licking counties to approve replacing COTA’s current half-penny sales tax with a new one-penny sales tax.
Investments in Central Ohio from these new funds would include:
- 45% more COTA service
- 500-plus miles of new and improved sidewalks, bike lanes and bike trails
- Eight new COTA//Plus zones (an app-based, on-demand transit shuttle service)
- Five new rapid transit corridors, with fast, frequent service in dedicated lanes
How will this benefit Hilliard?
Hilliard could see numerous direct and indirect benefits, including:
- An extension of the Heritage Trail from Hilliard to the Arena District in Columbus
- A shared-use path on Dublin Road from Dublin to Quarry Trails Metro Park
- A sidewalk and shared-use path on Leap Road between Cemetery Road and Scioto Darby Road
- A shared-use path on Davidson Road from Lyman Drive to Trueman Boulevard, including modifications to the existing bridge over I-270
- A shared-use path on Hayden Run Road from Avery Road to Eventing Way
- Converting sidewalks to a shared-use path on Cemetery Road from Leap Road to Britton Parkway (Phase 1), from the future Heritage Trail/Norwich Street to Leap Road (Phase 2), and from the Innovative Learning Center to the future Heritage Trail/Norwich Street (Phase 3)
- COTA//Plus on-demand shuttle service, using 10– to 12-seat wheelchair-accessible vans
- New bus service connecting Hilliard with The Ohio State University and Dublin
How will this benefit the region?
A modernized transportation system is essential to attracting and retaining young talent while providing older adults with the freedom to age in place and help people with disabilities get where they need to go.
This connectivity will yield significant benefits in the region, including improving the ability for everyone to get to work and medical appointments, walk or bike to local parks and restaurants, avoid traffic, and travel throughout Central Ohio with a lower environmental footprint.
For more information, visit linkuscolumbus.com.
