City of Columbus, COTA and MORPC Launch LinkUS Central Ohio
The City of Columbus, Central
Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
(MORPC) today unveiled LinkUS, a collaborative effort with private sector and
neighborhood partners that allows for mobility implementation efforts within
the region to be centered under an umbrella program. The LinkUS Mobility
Corridors Initiative will help to address traffic congestion, provide new
mobility options, expand access to resources, and promote equity and economic
vitality along key regional corridors.
LinkUS will provide a
consistent and equitable approach to implement transit and multi-modal
transportation improvements, coupled with new jobs and housing opportunities.
This effort builds on previous regional planning studies, including MORPC’s
Insight 2050 Corridor Concepts study. LinkUS has begun with the Northwest
Corridor Mobility Initiative — the first of several corridor action plans that
will identify and carry out preferred strategies to develop high-quality
transit and mobility choices while bringing new housing and jobs to the
corridor. Implementation efforts will also begin this year for an East-West
Corridor, including West Broad Street, and a study of East Main and East Broad
Streets. Other future corridors have been identified as part of a broader
framework strategy created to guide the initiative.
“Today more than ever, we must move swiftly to address
critical needs in Columbus and Central Ohio to foster a more resilient and
inclusive region,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.“As our region continues to
grow, we must ensure that all residents prosper, not just a few. LinkUS will
deliver mobility options in our community that will help increase equity by
enhancing access to jobs, business development, housing and healthcare, and
prepare for future growth that is inclusive and available for all of our
residents.”
As the regional council to help drive solutions for the
future of Central Ohio’s growing region, MORPC is a core partner in the
planning and strategy development of LinkUS.
"LinkUS is an exciting catalyst for Central Ohio’s future that will
improve our quality of life and add more mobility choices," said MORPC
executive director William Murdock. “Our region is growing quickly and more
diverse to a projected three million people by 2050. Planning and investing
today along corridors will create better transportation and housing options for
residents and businesses alike."
Driving transportation innovation for Columbus is critical
to the framework of LinkUS implementation. COTA’s leadership in equitable and
sustainable transportation solutions is important to the success of LinkUS.
“COTA’s vision is to move every
life forward in Central Ohio, and that means finding innovative mobility
solutions that provide access to jobs, health care, education, recreation,
entertainment and other opportunities for prosperity,” said COTA president/CEO
Joanna M. Pinkerton.
“The recent events in our community
and across our country have underscored various social and public
infrastructure disparities that impede equity. COTA believes affordable,
accessible and equitable public mobility systems will not only help better
connect our most vulnerable residents to opportunity, but also prepare our
region to handle the mobility needs of a million more people by 2050. I am
incredibly grateful COTA is partnering with forward-thinking community leaders
to prepare our region for a bright future.”
Research shows a strong link
between transportation mobility and the ability of individuals to increase
their social and economic well-being. Stakeholder and public engagement are
critical parts of the LinkUS initiative. Throughout the process, the public
will be invited to provide input to help ensure solutions address community
needs. A variety of forums (including in person, virtual and other creative
outlets) will be used to make participation a choice for all who care about the
future of central Ohio's mobility corridors.
Columbus City Council president
Shannon G. Hardin says that investing in transit, housing, and jobs along
corridors is critical to serve working families.
"LinkUS is how we're going
to bring new high-quality transit to the City of Columbus," said Hardin.
"We've also got to capture the opportunities that come with better
mobility to build more affordable housing, grow new jobs in our neighborhoods,
and create an urban environment that works for working families. We know that
COTA ridership is disproportionately African-American and working class;
creating a transit system that better serves our residents is a matter of
racial and economic justice."
To learn more about LinkUS and
get a full understanding of the framework strategy and corridor implementation,
visit LinkUScolumbus.com.
About COTA
The Central Ohio Transit
Authority is the regional public transit provider for greater Columbus and
Central Ohio. With a service area of 562 square miles, COTA provides more than
19 million passenger trips annually and is committed to integrating and
expanding mobility options across Central Ohio.
About MORPC
MORPC is Central Ohio’s regional council for more than 70
members comprised of counties, cities, villages, townships, and regional
organizations. MORPC takes pride in bringing communities of all sizes and
interests together to collaborate on best practices and plan for the future of
our growing region.