Alternative Selected for Olentangy Trail Completion
COLUMBUS, OH
– Based
on public input and technical analysis, the City of Columbus has selected
Alternative 2 as the route to
close the gap from Clinton-Como Park to Northmoor Park on the Olentangy
Trail. This will complete the trail and enhance connectivity for
thousands of walkers, cyclists and runners. The Olentangy Trail is the busiest trail in central
Ohio with more than 1,000 bicycle and pedestrian trips a day on many parts of
the trail.
“We know that Columbus’ parks and trails add to the
community’s quality of life,” said Paul Rakosky, interim director of Columbus
Recreation and Parks Department. “The completion of the Olentangy Trail has
been on the books since the 1970s so we are excited to finish the trail and
improve east-west connections across the Olentangy River. We thank everyone in
the community who gave us thoughtful feedback and ideas. This project is better
because of those suggestions. The City’s investment in the completion of the
Trail is another example of our commitment to providing Columbus residents with
improved mobility options and access to healthy activities.”
The 14-mile, dedicated shared-use path currently has a 0.6-mile
gap from Clinton Como Park to Northmoor Park where trail users must share city
streets with motor vehicles along a 1-mile, on-street segment of signed trail.
From the north, Alternative 2 will travel
south from Northmoor Park, go west on a new bridge over the Olentangy River and
continue to West North Broadway at Ohio Health Boulevard. From there, the trail
will cross West North Broadway at the intersection and continue south, with a
bridge over Slyh Run and the Olentangy River, to connect with Clinton-Como
Park. The bridges will span across the river without piers. There will be easements
needed from adjacent business owners along a portion of the route.
Learn
more: columbus.gov/recreationandparks/trails/Olentangy-Trail.
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