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The spring and summer months bring warmer weather, which means more people will be traveling to activities and events around Central Ohio. LinkUS is dedicated to building an integrated mobility and transit system that will get people where they’re going with improved commute times throughout the region. As LinkUS continues plans to build a system that supports everyone, there are opportunities to connect and share your thoughts on how LinkUS can serve Central Ohio communities and neighborhoods.
Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take public transport, you can get involved. Follow along with current efforts and upcoming events by connecting with LinkUS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And find information about LinkUS initiatives and other recent efforts on the LinkUS website and Youtube channel.
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LINKUS IN THE COMMUNITY
Thanks to all who stopped by the LinkUS table during the Celebrate Trails Day in Columbus, on April 23rd at Genoa Park. More than 400 people visited our table, sharing thoughts and insights about LinkUS, mobility, transit, biking, and more.
This year’s Celebrate Trails Day event was hosted by Green Columbus, Railstotrails, MORPC, Black Girls Do Bike, Girl Trek, Healthy Black Women and Girls, Remember Us Urban Scouts and more. Hosted on the fourth Saturday of April, Celebrate Trails Day is an annual spring celebration of America’s trails. Started by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in 2013, the celebration encourages people across the country to get outside and enjoy the nation’s exceptional trails and trail systems.
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REIMAGINING SUSTAINABILITY | |
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As a valued LinkUS partner, COTA provides sustainable mobility solutions that truly move every life forward in Central Ohio.
COTA’s recently released 2022 Sustainability Plan is now available to view. This cutting-edge plan has garnered national attention, earning COTA the “Champions of the Challenge” award through the FTA’s Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet initiative. COTA is one of 10 public transportation providers across the entire nation to earn such a prestigious designation.
COTA’s sustainability plan is bold, ambitious and driven by data. The goals include:
- Diesel-free by 2025
- 2% reduction in water use annually
- 100% waste diversion rate from landfills by 2045
- Net-zero particulate matter emissions by 2045
- Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045
Explore COTA’s 2022 Sustainability Plan to learn more.
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EAST MAIN SESSION AT THE BARNETT LIBRARY | |
The LinkUS team met with community stakeholders from downtown and the east side of Columbus on Saturday, April 30th at the Barnett branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. The small group meeting included LinkUS project updates and conversations with the project team about possible designs that would be unique to each neighborhood. Participants engaged in activities to learn more about what makes each Columbus community special and LinkUS will use that feedback to inform the design process. | |
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If your small group or business is interested in having coffee with the LinkUS team, please email info@linkuscolumbus.com to schedule a meeting this month. | |
EARTH DAY RECAP: WEST BROAD COMMUNITY CLEAN UP | |
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On April 23, the LinkUS team was part of community clean-up efforts along West Broad Street, picking up litter and passing out Wildflower seeds to the local businesses.
As LinkUS is a community-wide initiative, it is important for our project team to understand the needs and goals of small business owners, residents, and everyone who wants a beautiful, safe community.
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We're Coming to a Community Near You
The East-West Corridor team will be visiting communities all month long. The team is excited to meet residents, neighbors, and businesses along East Main Street and West Broad Street Corridors. The corridor team will be handing out flyers to spread the word about LinkUS Initiatives.
Please visit linkuscolumbus.com/east-west for the most updated information on meetings and events in your neighborhood. If you know of a community event where the LinkUS team can be involved, please contact us at info@linkuscolumbus.com.
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Thank you for linking up with us, Dublin!
In April, the City of Dublin hosted LinkUS at the Mobility Concierge in the Bridge Park East Plaza Pavilion. Thanks to those who made it out or commented online.
The engagement team spoke to about 60 people over two afternoons, learning more about the route alignment preferences and stop locations of travelers who visit Bridge Park. Reception toward the LinkUS corridor was generally positive and many people inquired about where they might be able to go on high-capacity bus rapid transit and when.
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The Northwest Corridor survey received more than 180 responses from residents who live, work and travel the corridor. LinkUS asked residents to weigh in with their thoughts on route alignment options between Henderson Road, Riverside Drive and Bethel Road, their interest in using Northwest Corridor bus rapid transit and the best station locations for their travel.
Here’s what people had to say:
- Survey respondents preferred the Bethel Road alignment. Many expressed their preference due to the density of shopping, restaurants and other businesses and attractions along Bethel Road.
- More than two thirds of the respondents indicated that they would use a station in the Downtown area; most also said that they would use stations at Goodale Street or Bethel Road. King, Lane and Third avenues—as well as OSU Medical Center—would be used by more than a third of survey respondents.
- Most respondents indicated that they are interested in traveling to entertainment destinations along the corridor, followed closely by people who are interested because they live near the corridor. Friends and family, medical appointments and work along the corridor were each cited by more than a third of respondents as places they want to go.
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Keep in Touch
Stay in touch about upcoming LinkUS events and opportunities for community engagement on social media. Like the LinkUS Facebook, and follow LinkUS on Twitter, and Instagram to get frequent updates, and to share how the LinkUS system works for you. Visit the LinkUS website and Youtube channel for even more information around LinkUS projects, developments and events.
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New Resources Online
If you weren’t able to join LinkUS at one of the March virtual or in-person public meetings, slide deck content and summary materials are available online now. Visit linkuscolumbus.com/resources to review these materials as well as more detail on survey results.
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