March 10, 20223 yr 8 hours ago, DTCL11 said: Reading up on the latest for LinkUS and the general COTA news, it's so frustrating to think that 2028 is the earliest that one of the Transit Corridor BRTs will be completed IF federal funding comes through. Without it, it will be later. The fact that it takes that long to install a BRT on a mostly 6 lane road seems excessive. This should be easy. With abundant examples, it shouldn't be taking years to develop a plan and hoping with fingers crossed that funding comes through, and if not, oh well. Down here in Hamilton County, we passed a bill to finally make SORTA a county wide service and it came with money set aside for infrastructure. This was two years ago. 2 BRT lines were part of the proposal, out of a potential 4. First one isn't scheduled to come online until 2027. There is 3 years of planning scheduled before ever breaking ground in 2026.
March 10, 20223 yr 9 hours ago, DTCL11 said: Reading up on the latest for LinkUS and the general COTA news, it's so frustrating to think that 2028 is the earliest that one of the Transit Corridor BRTs will be completed IF federal funding comes through. Without it, it will be later. The fact that it takes that long to install a BRT on a mostly 6 lane road seems excessive. This should be easy. With abundant examples, it shouldn't be taking years to develop a plan and hoping with fingers crossed that funding comes through, and if not, oh well. Omaha, Nebraska announces a streetcar project expected to be operational in 2026. 4 years to plan, study, and build. The LinkUS Corridor Initiative was announced in Summer of 2020 and doesn't expect any groundbreaking until 2024 at the earliest on any of the corridors with 4 years of construction and study before service begins. And yes, the corridors are longer than others, but again, building a BRT along significant stretches of insanely wide roads is not rocket science. Minneapolis announced their intents to create BRTs many years ago but funding was a big hinderance. As of 2021, two of their routes were open and these involved major construction of special transit facilities, ramps, bridges, etc in highway medians (imagine a BRT along 71 from Polaris to Downtown). Construction for the first line took roughly 3 years. The second line took about 2 years for the BRT (light rail is taking much longer but for sake of apples to apples, I'm just referring to the BRT) Expansion plans take them to 2040 (including rail). Indy announced corridors concepts in 2016. Conducted studies and design and had their first line (Red, 14 miles) operational in 2019. Construction just started on the 15 mile purple line which is expected to be operational in 2024. Again, roughly two years. At which time, they plan to have begun, or begin soon after, on the Blue Line. In 10 years, Indy is projected to have planned, studied, and constructed 3 full BRTs while Columbus will spend almost half that time hoping to get started on the first. And Columbus plans on 4 years of construction... for a BRT... on Broad Street and Main Street... I supposed the good news is that LinkUs is working through East-West and the Northwest concurrently. COTA is probably my number one reason for wanting to live elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, there are positive improvements from where COTA used to be. And certainly new leadership is what was needed to even get this far. And they are finally putting the time and investment into these plans and not throwing them out like trying to stick spaghetti to a wall. I applaud them on their changes for fares and fleet purchases. But is still seems like the city and MORPC keep their focus on 2050 and lose the sense of urgency. As other cities eye the shorter term and immediate transit needs as they build out better systems. And just like mobile pay systems where leaders decided to reinvent the wheel and spend years developing a mediocre app when we could have borrowed from successful operators and been less behind the times, they seem to be doing the same with BRT. A concept that is hardly new and is virtually plug and play nowadays, especially with abundant space available. And yes, there are systems that take longer, but ours really shouldn't be that way. (All this fails to mention the fact we can't even get them to commit to restarting the CBUS) It's just a bit exhausting living in one of the biggest cities in the country and still being so far behind. Always. You should totally share this assessment with MORPC, COTA, and the LinkUS initiative. It's completely spot-on; I couldn't have said it better myself. The complete apathy towards public transit in Columbus and Central Ohio is one of the big reasons I don't move back.
March 11, 20223 yr 5 hours ago, Dev said: Down here in Hamilton County, we passed a bill to finally make SORTA a county wide service and it came with money set aside for infrastructure. This was two years ago. 2 BRT lines were part of the proposal, out of a potential 4. First one isn't scheduled to come online until 2027. There is 3 years of planning scheduled before ever breaking ground in 2026. Man, that's a lot of planning time. It's good to hear construction is slated to be less than 2 years, which is fantastic once the the ground is broken.
March 11, 20223 yr 10 hours ago, DTCL11 said: Man, that's a lot of planning time. It's good to hear construction is slated to be less than 2 years, which is fantastic once the the ground is broken. A lot of that planning time is required by the Feds. Environmental impact studies and the like.
April 7, 20223 yr Author COTA Outlines Plan to Fund Transit Corridors, Other Transportation Upgrades The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) and its partners in the LinkUs initiative have released the most comprehensive vision yet for building – and funding – a major expansion of the region’s transit network. The details were presented to a mid-March meeting of the LinkUs Leadership Coalition, a steering committee made up of a wide range of representatives from the government, nonprofit, business and advocacy communities. The meeting was recently posted on YouTube and the presentation on the LinkUs website. Under the plan, three new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors would be built out by 2030 and another two by 2050. Significantly, the blueprint that was laid out at the meeting also calls for a major investment in improving the existing bus system, as well as building out what it terms “transit supportive infrastructure” – things like bike lanes, trails and sidewalks – throughout the region. Overall, it would be a $8 billion dollar effort, dwarfing any recent attempt to add new transportation options or significantly improve the existing transit infrastructure of what has historically been one of the most car-centric metro areas in the country. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/cota-outlines-plan-to-fund-transit-corridors-other-transportation-upgrades-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 8, 20223 yr Posting this here since it complements @ColDayMan’s BRT post. The results from the study sound pretty inconclusive, at least based on the Dispatch’s summary. However, with such huge population growth here and such limited public transportation, I would imagine we’d say the positives the researchers describe in a place like Cleveland. Ohio State study finds bus rapid transit can boost value of apartments, condos “An Ohio State University study shows that bus rapid-transit lines — such as those the Central Ohio Transit Authority and others are planning for parts of Franklin County — have helped improve the value of multi-family properties in some cities, including Cleveland. In Cleveland's case, overall residential property values rose the most of any city studied — 14.8% — near the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's seven-mile HealthLine along Euclid Avenue from downtown Cleveland through University Circle to East Cleveland. The increase includes a 41.5% jump in the value of multi-family residences. More than $7 billion in development also has occurred since the $200 million HealthLine began running in 2008 to serve Downtown, the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and other employment and residential areas. Miller said Cleveland's HealthLine could be a model for Columbus as officials here plan for high-capacity bus rapid-transit lines through the LinkUS initiative.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/transportation/2022/04/08/ohio-state-study-bus-rapid-transit-boost-value-apartments-condos/7272838001/
April 14, 20223 yr What do you all think the chances of this passing at the ballot are? I think, normally, it wouldn’t be too difficult. But it prices and inflation are still dominating the headlines in the fall, it may make for a more difficult sell. COTA officials ready to pitch 0.5% sales tax hike to build bus rapid transit system ‘"LinkUS is a comprehensive approach," he said, with bus rapid transit and protected bike lanes and sidewalks that connect to other initiatives such as the city's goal to build more affordable housing. "Any kind of additional taxation is always something that needs (to be) explained to voters in order to get them to sign on to it," Lapp said. That includes environmental benefits and the reduction of traffic congestion. "We really can’t be a world-class city without world-class transit," he said.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/04/14/officials-ready-pitch-0-5-sales-tax-hike-bus-rapid-transit/7302405001/
April 14, 20223 yr 4 hours ago, amped91 said: What do you all think the chances of this passing at the ballot are? I think, normally, it wouldn’t be too difficult. But it prices and inflation are still dominating the headlines in the fall, it may make for a more difficult sell. COTA officials ready to pitch 0.5% sales tax hike to build bus rapid transit system ‘"LinkUS is a comprehensive approach," he said, with bus rapid transit and protected bike lanes and sidewalks that connect to other initiatives such as the city's goal to build more affordable housing. "Any kind of additional taxation is always something that needs (to be) explained to voters in order to get them to sign on to it," Lapp said. That includes environmental benefits and the reduction of traffic congestion. "We really can’t be a world-class city without world-class transit," he said.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/04/14/officials-ready-pitch-0-5-sales-tax-hike-bus-rapid-transit/7302405001/ If they don't pass the sales tax, would COTA still be able to move forward with the BRT routes? Would they only be able to build one or two but not all 5? Would it also take longer? Edited April 14, 20223 yr by Dev
April 14, 20223 yr I'm glad to see they are upping the ambition with a goal of having more completed by 2030 than previously detailed. That's good news. I'm skeptical about the levy. I think it may be a hefty uphill battle. The zoo has easily passed Levies by great margins but when a project that was perceived as a special project to benefit a limited number of people, it was handily defeated by opposite margins than the prior and subsequent renewals. Granted, voters tend to be a bit more defensive with a property tax levy vs a sales tax. With an even wider base of voters subject to a COTA levy, there's a greater chance that those same forces may be at work when it comes to 'why should I have to pay for something that isn't going to benefit me?'. Especially without more detailed plans for connecting some of the outer reaches. I'm less concerned about the current economic factors playing a part. I think the previous point will play a larger part. I'm inclined to believe the number of people who think about it from an inflationary spending standpoint will be less impactful than the 'what do I get out of it' group. Indy Passed with a 58/42 (ish) margin in 2016. The results of the Marion County Transit levy were nearly identical to the presidential D / R+L+I split vote for the county. Good news is, the general D/R split in Franklin county is more favorable, but COTA voting territory spills over those borders. So the base is there for a likely passage, but the 'what do I get out of it' and zoo scenario comes back in. If it fails, it seems that there is no alternative. Early articles seems to indicate that the BRT programs hinged on it. Even when the timeline showed trying to get just 1 route online by 2029 and starting the other even as late as 2028, they seemed to indicate that the whole project would be in limbo without the sales tax. I believe it was mentioned that LinkUS was dodgy about it in their CU podcast interview(?) Federal funding hinges on this vote. A failure here would be similar to the turn of the century rail plan. Columbus had the plans. They had the approval from the federal government. But couldn't get voters to approve the needed funding to get federal funding. The feds will not contribute anything unless the municipalities funding piece is guaranteed. Granted, I believe that transit is much more important to voters at large than it was 20 years ago so there is some good news there. I think one of the awesome pieces of this plan is $61m annually through 2050 specifically dedicated to sidewalks, trails, biking infrastructure, etc getting to and from the BRT. It's an excellent detail, that hopefully combined with other funding sources could mean great things for perpendicular connectivity. I still don't get the CBUS issue. It was also a factor in parking pressures. I know so many people who would park at the statehouse and take the cbus up for gallery hop, comfest etc. Or use cbus to go to dinner in the Short North before a show etc. It was a great bus. If they're going to bring back airport connect for events even with staffing and funding issues, why cbus for major events isn't part of that confuses me. CBUS could even just be rebranded as a special events circulator. So on Gallery Hop it might follow a similar path it used to but for things like Pride, ArtFest, Jazz&Ribs it can be adapted with special access to shuttle folks. My one complaint about cbus was that it got snarled in traffic on gallery hop. I still dream of a day of limited vehicle access in the Short North to allow a more pedestrian and transit friendly experience. It would definitely take some thought and planning but there is potential there to be more open to road closures for events like some other cities. Edited April 14, 20223 yr by DTCL11
April 15, 20223 yr ^I think that will be what COTA, the city, LinkUS, etc. need to be laser focused on from now until November. Getting their messaging right that this project can benefit everyone. Or, at least, the majority of voters.
April 15, 20223 yr Author Central Ohio leaders eye sales tax increase to fund $8B in transit investment Local leaders say a sales tax rate hike could be necessary to fund the region's new transit initiative, dubbed LinkUs. The initiative, launched in 2020 and spearheaded by the city of Columbus, Franklin County, the Central Ohio Transit Authority and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, would transform the region’s transit and mobility systems and encourage development along key corridors. Newly released LinkUs plans include an $8 billion investment in enhanced and expanded transportation options. That investment would be funded via a half a percentage point tax increase, upping the portion of the local sales tax that goes to COTA from .5% to 1%. The overall sales tax rate is currently 7.5% in Columbus; with the increase it would be 8%. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/04/15/linkus.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 15, 20223 yr 1 hour ago, GCrites80s said: For $8 billion we get BRT but Cincinnati got rail for $130 million? It still sounds expensive, but, to be fair, their projected cost is $4.3B for the build out, operation, and maintenance of FIVE region-wide corridors over the course of 20+ years. Cincy’s rail is, like, one three mile long loop.
April 16, 20223 yr 18 hours ago, amped91 said: It still sounds expensive, but, to be fair, their projected cost is $4.3B for the build out, operation, and maintenance of FIVE region-wide corridors over the course of 20+ years. Cincy’s rail is, like, one three mile long loop. Doing some extremely back of the envelope math, assuming the cost for operations are $12m per line (I'm using IndyGo's $8m a year for their 13 mile RedLine as the baseline), and the first line opens in 2026 with a new line opening every two years after that, operations through 2050 would be $1.26 billion, which leaves about $3 billion for capital costs. If each line is 15 miles, that's 75 total miles or $40m per mile.
April 16, 20223 yr Here's a link to the IndyGo application- https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/funding/grant-programs/capital-investments/130096/indygo-red-line-rapid-transit-fy-19-profile.pdf $7.3m/mile including rolling stock
April 21, 20223 yr Author Interview: LinkUs Leaders on the New Transit Plan & the Case for a Sales Tax Hike to Pay for It Earlier this month, Columbus Underground was the first outlet to publish details of an $8 billion plan to expand and improve the region’s transportation infrastructure, including the build-out of a network of Bus Rapid Transit corridors. The majority of the funding for the initiative would come from a 0.5% sales tax increase, one that could be brought to voters within the Central Ohio Transit Authority service area as soon as this November. The decision on when – and whether – to place that issue on the ballot rests solely with the COTA Board of Trustees, although the priorities laid out in the plan have been shaped by COTA and other partners in the LinkUs initiative; primarily the City of Columbus, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and Franklin County. The new tax would increase COTA’s share of the sales tax from 0.5% to 1%, potentially raising over $200 million a year in new revenue to be funneled into the new BRT corridors, into improving the existing bus system, and into a wide range of other improvements, such as bike lanes, trails and sidewalks. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/interview-linkus-leaders-on-the-new-transit-plan-and-the-case-for-a-sales-tax-hike-to-pay-for-it-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 7, 20222 yr Figured they would end up deciding not to put it on this year’s ballot. What isn’t clear is if they will try again at a later time. COTA drops plans for sales tax issue in November, seeks $300 million for bus rapid transit “The Central Ohio Transit Authority has decided not to proceed with placing a 0.5% sales tax increase on the November ballot to help fund bus rapid transit lines, though the agency is continuing to pursue millions in federal dollars to pay for the initiative. "Now is not the right time," Patrick Harris, COTA's vice president of external relations, said Thursday of placing a sales tax ballot issue this year. "There are too many economic challenges in our region." Harris didn't rule out going for a sales tax hike after 2022. But for now, COTA is looking at other funding sources for the LinkUS rapid transit initiative along the West Broad Street and East Main Street corridors through Downtown. Meanwhile, COTA has begun applying for $300 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation for those proposed corridors, or $150 million for each, said Kim Sharp, COTA's senior director of development. COTA must provide local matching dollars to secure federal funding. Sharp said COTA would like to start construction in two to three years.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/07/07/cota-wont-pursue-sales-tax-issue-november-ballot/7822390001/
October 6, 20222 yr LinkUS continues its work to move this region forward with bringing rapid transit solutions and mobility options to the region. Recent recommendations from the LinkUS Executive and Steering committees are already moving forward as we drive toward world-class mobility and transit options for Central Ohio. Work in the corridors continues. East Main Street Corridor, West Broad Street Corridor and Northwest Corridor planning and design teams are working with the community to finalize routes and move toward submission to the federal government. At the same time, legislative changes to help bring rapid transit to our region were approved by the Ohio House and Senate on May 18, 2022 and MORPC is working with COTA service area local governments to create the Transit Supportive Infrastructure Committee, which will create a capital improvement plan to prioritize the sidewalk, bikeways, trails, and roadway projects to implement LinkUS. A regional equitable transit-oriented development strategy is underway as public and private partners work to move this forward. Community engagement, involvement and outreach is ongoing as we continue to work and connect with regional civic, business, and community leaders. Annual audits and public committees composed of government, business and community leaders will ensure strong accountability and oversight of LinkUS. The LinkUS partners look forward to continuing this important work in partnership with community members throughout the region. https://linkuscolumbus.com/linkus-is-taking-action-today-to-bring-rapid-transit-to-the-region/ From the update on BRT released a few days ago. Anyone know what the bolded part refers to? Does it mean COTA won’t need to rely on increasing sales tax to locally fund LinkUS?
November 25, 20222 yr A couple updates on LinkUS: COTA moving ahead with design of rapid bus routes for Dublin and elsewhere “The Central Ohio Transit Authority is moving ahead with the design of several new rapid bus routes, even though a plan to ask the public to fund new transit options in central Ohio is on hold,. The agency this week unveiled the route that will anchor the LinkUs initiative, a wide-ranging project intended to connect Columbus and its suburbs using a range of transportation options. The so-called Northwest Corridor — a fast-moving bus line — will start Downtown and make its way to Dublin via Olentangy River Road. “We’re trying to get things queued up and ready,” said Kim Sharp, senior development director for COTA. Even though COTA has not secured its share of the funding, the transportation agency wants to have a plan in place when federal grant money becomes available, she said.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/11/25/cota-still-planning-fast-moving-bus-routes-to-dublin-and-elsewhere/69658583007/ More info on the NW corridor announcement is here: https://linkuscolumbus.com/northwest-corridor-locally-preferred-alternative-adopted/ LinkUS will also be unveiling station design concepts on December 5 over Zoom. You can register for the meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z0enKfS1Soq-Yji_3CK_xQ
December 5, 20222 yr On 11/25/2022 at 11:43 AM, amped91 said: A couple updates on LinkUS: COTA moving ahead with design of rapid bus routes for Dublin and elsewhere “The Central Ohio Transit Authority is moving ahead with the design of several new rapid bus routes, even though a plan to ask the public to fund new transit options in central Ohio is on hold,. The agency this week unveiled the route that will anchor the LinkUs initiative, a wide-ranging project intended to connect Columbus and its suburbs using a range of transportation options. The so-called Northwest Corridor — a fast-moving bus line — will start Downtown and make its way to Dublin via Olentangy River Road. “We’re trying to get things queued up and ready,” said Kim Sharp, senior development director for COTA. Even though COTA has not secured its share of the funding, the transportation agency wants to have a plan in place when federal grant money becomes available, she said.“ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/11/25/cota-still-planning-fast-moving-bus-routes-to-dublin-and-elsewhere/69658583007/ More info on the NW corridor announcement is here: https://linkuscolumbus.com/northwest-corridor-locally-preferred-alternative-adopted/ LinkUS will also be unveiling station design concepts on December 5 over Zoom. You can register for the meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z0enKfS1Soq-Yji_3CK_xQ Those station design concepts were released today, and the presentation can be viewed here, along with an opportunity to give feedback: https://linkuscolumbus.com/#stations Overall, I think it looks good. I like that there’s plenty of light and digital displays for departures/arrivals.
December 6, 20222 yr 1 hour ago, Pablo said: Remind me again, will busses get signal priority? Yes, according to officials with LinkUS. https://linkuscolumbus.com/faqs/ This page only gives a general overview of rapid transit, but various officials have said signal priority will be a part of the Columbus network.
December 6, 20222 yr Author Design Concepts Presented for LinkUs Transit Stations Work continues on the LinkUs initiative – a plan to build new transit corridors and greatly expand the region’s transportation options – despite last summer’s decision to delay putting a sales tax increase on the ballot to fund it. Planners and architects on Monday provided an update on the project (via Zoom), and showed off a new design concept for the stations planned for the first three Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors. Justin Goodwin, Mobility and Parking Administrator for the city of Columbus, said that no decision has been made about when a sales tax initiative will be brought to voters, but he said the overall timeline for the first phase of the project remains the same as the one announced earlier this year; “we anticipate completion of the three initial corridors by the end of 2030.” The first two corridors – nearly nine miles of improvements along West Broad Street and about 13 miles along East Main Street – are already in the grant pipeline for the Federal Transit Authority’s Capital Investment Grants Program, which means they could both be in line for federal money (if local matching funds are also secured). More below: https://columbusunderground.com/transit-station-design-concepts-presented-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 18, 20232 yr COTA to spend another $10.5 million on engineering for West Broad bus rapid transit line “The Central Ohio Transit Authority will be spending another $10.5 million on engineering work toward a bus rapid transit line along nine miles of West Broad Street west of Downtown. The COTA board of trustees on Wednesday approved the contract with AECOM, a Dallas-based company with Columbus offices, for this next phase of the work. A third phase will be done next year. Construction on the rapid transit line is expected to perhaps finally begin as early as 2025, said Andrew Biesterveld, COTA's chief engineer and mechanical officer. "We're near 30% design done, Biesterveld told The Dispatch. The new work will include more surveying, property appraisal and acquisition assistance for right-of-way, and public engagement.” https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2023/01/18/cota-to-spend-10-5-million-for-work-on-west-broad-bus-rapid-transit/69814525007/
March 22, 20232 yr Author Mayor: LinkUs Transit Vote Planned for Fall 2024 Mayor Andrew Ginther delivered his annual “State of the City” address this afternoon, and the speech contained some news about the city’s transit plans. Ginther said that a vote on the LinkUs initiative – a plan to build new transit corridors and greatly expand the region’s transportation options – is now planned for the fall of 2024. The Central Ohio Transit Authority and its LinkUs partners decided last summer not to put a 0.5% sales tax increase on the ballot in November to fund the initiative. Transit advocates questioned that decision, although officials insisted that the $8 billion effort was still moving forward and would eventually be brought to the ballot. No definitive timeline had been announced, though, until today. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/mayor-says-linkus-transit-vote-planned-for-fall-2024-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 5, 20232 yr Excellent news! We have about a year and a half to convince voters why we need this.
July 20, 20231 yr Author COTA Board Votes to Advance LinkUs Transit Plans The COTA Board of Trustees voted this morning to approve a series of resolutions aimed at advancing the LinkUs initiative, a plan to build new transit corridors and greatly expand the region’s transportation options. Design work has already started on three new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, and two of them – nearly nine miles of improvements along West Broad Street and about 13 miles along East Main Street – are already in the grant pipeline for the Federal Transit Authority’s Capital Investment Grants Program. The resolutions allocate funding for consultants to continue that design work, and to take the next step in the federal grant process for the West Broad Street corridor, which would be the first one constructed if the federal money is secured. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/cota-board-votes-to-advance-linkus-transit-plans-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 20, 20231 yr I'm not a fan of how it switches between mixed-traffic and dedicated lanes so much on the east side. Hopefully that can be updated during public engagement but great improvement regardless. Edited July 20, 20231 yr by Dev
July 23, 20231 yr Belle to Souder is too long of a distance in between stations, there should be one halfway around Mill/ Gift Edited July 23, 20231 yr by NW24HX
March 8, 20241 yr Author THE FUTURE OF TRANSIT Voters will decide an issue in November that could change how Central Ohio residents get around the growing region. The idea is simple enough: Streamline how people get around Central Ohio with easier and more equitable access to rapid transit to keep up with expanding workforce needs through 2050. Think light rail, but with slick, new buses instead of trains moving people through the region’s busiest corridors. Getting there, however, will be a long, expensive road, with voters ultimately deciding in November whether to fully fund it. LinkUs, which was unveiled in 2020, calls for constructing rapid transit corridors; creating a new regional funding source for sidewalks, bike infrastructure, greenways and other related roadway upgrades; and boosting the Central Ohio Transit Authority through increased service hours, new routes, additional shelters and new facilities. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/03/07/linkus-columbus.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 8, 20241 yr 10 hours ago, ColDayMan said: THE FUTURE OF TRANSIT Voters will decide an issue in November that could change how Central Ohio residents get around the growing region. The idea is simple enough: Streamline how people get around Central Ohio with easier and more equitable access to rapid transit to keep up with expanding workforce needs through 2050. Think light rail, but with slick, new buses instead of trains moving people through the region’s busiest corridors. Getting there, however, will be a long, expensive road, with voters ultimately deciding in November whether to fully fund it. LinkUs, which was unveiled in 2020, calls for constructing rapid transit corridors; creating a new regional funding source for sidewalks, bike infrastructure, greenways and other related roadway upgrades; and boosting the Central Ohio Transit Authority through increased service hours, new routes, additional shelters and new facilities. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/03/07/linkus-columbus.html Isn't this entire project 8 Billion Dollars?
March 8, 20241 yr 33 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said: Isn't this entire project 8 Billion Dollars? From the article: What would LinkUs cost? Last year, COTA’s board approved a $1.2 billion, five-year plan that includes $723.4 million for the continued design and construction of the three corridors and $296.4 million to pay for additional construction. That includes new bus rapid-transit stations, customer amenities, roadway improvements and alterations, right-of-way acquisition, traffic signal upgrades, sidewalk and bicycle connections, micro-mobility hubs, new buses and various other elements as part of the project. In all, the funding plan calls for generating new revenue of nearly $2 billion by 2030 and more than $8 billion by 2050.
March 8, 20241 yr 10 hours ago, ColDayMan said: THE FUTURE OF TRANSIT Voters will decide an issue in November that could change how Central Ohio residents get around the growing region. The idea is simple enough: Streamline how people get around Central Ohio with easier and more equitable access to rapid transit to keep up with expanding workforce needs through 2050. Think light rail, but with slick, new buses instead of trains moving people through the region’s busiest corridors. Getting there, however, will be a long, expensive road, with voters ultimately deciding in November whether to fully fund it. LinkUs, which was unveiled in 2020, calls for constructing rapid transit corridors; creating a new regional funding source for sidewalks, bike infrastructure, greenways and other related roadway upgrades; and boosting the Central Ohio Transit Authority through increased service hours, new routes, additional shelters and new facilities. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/03/07/linkus-columbus.html I gotta say, I like this much better than building a street car line which a lot of people seem to be wanting. This accomplishes essentially the same thing as a streetcar, but at a fraction of the cost which allows us to positively impact a far larger area. I would definitely love to see light rail, or even commuter rail, at some point in our future, but creating true BRT corridors will be great for our city.
March 8, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, cbussoccer said: I gotta say, I like this much better than building a street car line which a lot of people seem to be wanting. This accomplishes essentially the same thing as a streetcar, but at a fraction of the cost which allows us to positively impact a far larger area. I would definitely love to see light rail, or even commuter rail, at some point in our future, but creating true BRT corridors will be great for our city. I agree 100% with this. When BRT is done correctly, it is very effective and is the cheapest option to get running. If this goes really well, the basic infrastructure is already in place for a light rail or some type of train. Just need to add tracks to the BRT lines. I can’t imagine what the sticker shock would be for people if this was a light rail proposal. People would probably lose their minds.
March 13, 20241 yr Author COTA Lands $42 Million Federal Grant for First Transit Corridor The Central Ohio Transit Authority has been awarded $41.9 million in federal funding for the first of several planned Bus Rapid Transit corridors. The project, which will essentially be the first piece of the larger LinkUs initiative, calls for redesigning West Broad Street, from Downtown to Prairie Township. The new street will have dedicated lanes for new, larger buses, new raised platforms for passengers as well as improved crosswalks, sidewalks and bike lanes. Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, is often described as a transit alternative that can deliver some of the amenities associated with light rail – dedicated lanes, easy boarding at stations, fast and frequent service – without the higher cost and longer construction time of rail projects. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/cota-lands-42-million-federal-grant-for-first-transit-corridor-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
March 15, 20241 yr COTA Lands $42 Million Federal Grant for First Transit Corridor https://columbusunderground.com/cota-lands-42-million-federal-grant-for-first-transit-corridor-bw1/ Quote The Central Ohio Transit Authority has been awarded $41.9 million in federal funding for the first of several planned Bus Rapid Transit corridors. The project, which will essentially be the first piece of the larger LinkUs initiative, calls for redesigning West Broad Street, from Downtown to Prairie Township. The new street will have dedicated lanes for new, larger buses, new raised platforms for passengers as well as improved crosswalks, sidewalks and bike lanes. Quote The West Broad BRT corridor was one of 132 projects nationwide to receive funding as part of the Reconnecting Communities Pilot and Neighborhood Access and Equity discretionary grant programs. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the awards today, which are funded by both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. COTA’s latest estimate is that the West Broad BRT corridor will cost just under $340 million to complete, and that initial right-of-way and utility work could start on the project as soon as 2025. Construction of the stations and roadway would then start in 2026, with a projected public opening some time in 2028.
May 13, 20241 yr Quote Columbus’ first virtual bus stops are here. On a media tour Thursday, LinkUS — a bus rapid transit (BRT) initiative planned by the Central Ohio Transit Authority and other government agencies — showed off their new augmented reality (AR) stops along the planned West Broad Street Corridor. These AR stops allow smartphone users to overlay virtual renderings of LinkUS planned infrastructure improvements — which include dedicated rapid bus lanes, protected bike lanes, central and side bus stops, sidewalks and more — over the real world using their device’s camera. “If you are a visual learner, like I am, (the AR is) really giving you those visuals of what the street could look like. All of these renderings are to give folks an idea,” Columbus City Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla said Thursday. https://linkuscolumbus.com/linkus-offers-virtual-look-at-proposed-bus-rapid-transit-corridor-on-west-broad-street/ https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/05/10/linkus-offers-virtual-look-at-west-broad-bus-rapid-transit-corridor/73632200007/
August 22, 2024Aug 22 Author COTA Levy: New Rendering Shows the Broad & High of the Future Voters will decide in November whether or not to approve a half-percent sales tax increase to fund transit improvements, and efforts to draw attention to the initiative are starting to ramp up. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) recently released a list of more than 80 different bikeway and sidewalk projects that would be funded by the new revenue, and elected officials have been promoting an augmented reality app designed to help visualize changes along one of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors. COTA also just released a new rendering that, for the first time, shows what the intersection of Broad and High could look like if the levy passes and the proposed projects are fully implemented. Shown on the rendering (above) is a center-running, transit-only corridor on Broad Street – part of the West Broad BRT line that would be the first of several planned lines to be constructed – as well as bike lanes along each side of the street. On High Street, transit-only lanes are shown on either side of the street, as well as a transit station on the sidewalk side across from the Statehouse (the Broad Street stations would be in the center of the road). More below: https://columbusunderground.com/cota-levy-new-rendering-shows-the-broad-amp-high-of-the-future-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 23, 2024Aug 23 23 hours ago, ColDayMan said: COTA Levy: New Rendering Shows the Broad & High of the Future Voters will decide in November whether or not to approve a half-percent sales tax increase to fund transit improvements, and efforts to draw attention to the initiative are starting to ramp up. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) recently released a list of more than 80 different bikeway and sidewalk projects that would be funded by the new revenue, and elected officials have been promoting an augmented reality app designed to help visualize changes along one of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors. COTA also just released a new rendering that, for the first time, shows what the intersection of Broad and High could look like if the levy passes and the proposed projects are fully implemented. Shown on the rendering (above) is a center-running, transit-only corridor on Broad Street – part of the West Broad BRT line that would be the first of several planned lines to be constructed – as well as bike lanes along each side of the street. On High Street, transit-only lanes are shown on either side of the street, as well as a transit station on the sidewalk side across from the Statehouse (the Broad Street stations would be in the center of the road). More below: https://columbusunderground.com/cota-levy-new-rendering-shows-the-broad-amp-high-of-the-future-bw1/ I like this, but the lack of protected bike lanes is a joke.
August 23, 2024Aug 23 There is a lot of interest in making sure protected bike lanes are a big part of LinkUS. I wouldn't be surprised to see an updated rendering with them in place.
August 24, 2024Aug 24 9 hours ago, VintageLife said: I like this, but the lack of protected bike lanes is a joke. The bus lane is also not separated in that rendering. Different paint colors are not separation.
August 24, 2024Aug 24 10 hours ago, jonoh81 said: The bus lane is also not separated in that rendering. Different paint colors are not separation. Thats how Indy has theirs, and u would guess for some reason they decided to copy that. It really isn’t hard to just had some separation.
September 12, 2024Sep 12 Author Transportation expert discusses LinkUs' choice of bus rapid transit over light rail Some Central Ohio residents have questioned why COTA's proposed sales tax increase will fund the LinkUs initiative's bus rapid transit instead of light rail. Community stakeholders including the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the city of Columbus and Franklin County are championing the tax increase, which voters will decide in November. Its passage would aid in the construction of rapid transit corridors; the creation of new regional funding sources for sidewalks, bike infrastructure, greenways and other related roadway upgrades; and support service improvements, including more frequency and service hours, new routes, additional transit shelters and new transit facilities, according to COTA. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/09/11/brt-v-rail-expert-osu-linkus.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 12, 2024Sep 12 9 hours ago, ColDayMan said: Transportation expert discusses LinkUs' choice of bus rapid transit over light rail Some Central Ohio residents have questioned why COTA's proposed sales tax increase will fund the LinkUs initiative's bus rapid transit instead of light rail. Community stakeholders including the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the city of Columbus and Franklin County are championing the tax increase, which voters will decide in November. Its passage would aid in the construction of rapid transit corridors; the creation of new regional funding sources for sidewalks, bike infrastructure, greenways and other related roadway upgrades; and support service improvements, including more frequency and service hours, new routes, additional transit shelters and new transit facilities, according to COTA. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/09/11/brt-v-rail-expert-osu-linkus.html I've always thought this, Columbus has the population and density to support light rail. Although the BRT will be able to extend further rail to me will always be a better option, especially when it comes to capacity.
September 12, 2024Sep 12 7 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said: I've always thought this, Columbus has the population and density to support light rail. Although the BRT will be able to extend further rail to me will always be a better option, especially when it comes to capacity. Columbus doesn’t actually have the density though, that’s why the feds wouldn’t fund it and instead are giving funding for the BRT. I think this is a great start and if this actually passes light rail could very easily be applied for in the future, with better density numbers. With the brt line infrastructure in place, the light rail project could probably be easier to just put in on top of it all.
September 12, 2024Sep 12 Author I heavily disagree with the density schtick. Metro Columbus has the second highest population density in the Midwest behind Chicago. St. Louis, Charlotte, Minneapolis, Houston, and Norfolk-Virginia Beach are all metropolitan areas with recent-ish LRT systems built and Metro Columbus is denser than all of them. Don't EVEN let me bring up the various streetcar systems that are in cities far less densely populated. If "the feds" are giving money to extend Charlotte's LRT line to the next AutoZone off I-485, I don't see a reason why Columbus couldn't push harder OR go the corporate route and get help from the five F500 companies that already exist. On top of THAT, there are already established rail corridors they could use for a commuter rail-lite thing along existing freight traffic. BRT is fine but let's not pretend Columbus couldn't get rail tomorrow if it really wanted to, even without help from the state/ODOT. It could, but it doesn't want it right now. Ohio State alone could fund a sprinter streetcar route from campus to German Village. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
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