LinkUS – COTA - Issue #47

Are you curious about how Central Ohio plans to evolve its transportation network to support future growth?

MORPC leads strategic transportation planning and coordinates the allocation of federal transportation dollars to local governments.

Our guest, Maria Schaper, is the Transportation Study Director at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC). The central focus is the upcoming levy and its significance for the region’s future transportation and development needs.

The upcoming levy aims to address long-term transportation improvements essential for Central Ohio’s growth and economic health. If passed, the levy will replace the current half percent sales tax with a new permanent 1% sales tax, generating about $60 million yearly to fund significant infrastructure projects.

The proposed levy aims to support a shift away from car dependency, meeting generational preferences for diverse transportation options. With Central Ohio's population expected to grow significantly by 2050, sustainable transportation investments are crucial to accommodate this influx without overwhelming the region’s current infrastructure.

A key initiative highlighted by Schaper is the LinkUS program—a comprehensive mobility investment strategy designed to enhance public transportation across the region. The program focuses on an $8 billion plan to significantly improve the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) services by increasing transit service by 45% and developing five bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors by 2050. BRT features include dedicated lanes, level and multi-door boarding, off-board fare collection, clean energy buses, and transit signal prioritization, all aimed at creating a faster and more reliable transit system.

The levy will also support the expansion of sidewalks, bike paths, and trails, encouraging walkable and bikeable communities. Additionally, COTA plans to enhance its current routes and introduce eight new COTA Plus zones, providing on-demand transit services.

Schaper shares how MORPC's work extends beyond transportation to long-term regional planning, tracing back to the "Insight 2050" study initiated a decade ago. This study evaluated the economic impacts of various development patterns, comparing traditional growth with more focused, denser development along key corridors. The findings have guided the region in balancing growth with preserving rural character and fiscal sustainability.

Key Moments

08:37 Important resource; long-term plans; levy information crucial.

11:31 Dedicated bus lane, efficient boarding, signal priority, COTA improvements.

15:11 Vote on COTA levy for COTA service.

20:12 Growth requires smarter transportation, not just more cars.

20:57 Adding lanes induces demand; transit investment needed.

24:39 Columbus zoning update boosts new housing development.

30:41 Decade-long study on growth patterns and impacts.

34:52 MORPC aids regional planning amidst various challenges.

36:15 MORPC aids, doesn't dictate, regional transportation planning.

40:58 Expanding transit access via new infrastructure projects.

45:08 Team presenting initiative information daily through events.