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City reports 53% sidewalk coverage, seeks vulnerable‑road‑user safety plan with federal grant
Summary
Public service staff told the commission about sidewalk gaps, costs of right‑of‑way acquisition, and a recently awarded $1.65 million federal grant to develop a vulnerable road user safety plan that will prioritize sidewalk and pedestrian connections alongside COTA LinkUs funding.
Brian Ashworth of the Department of Public Service reported to the commission that approximately 53% of Columbus has sidewalks and that the city is prioritizing pedestrian connections on arterials and when resurfacing or utility work occurs.
“Ideally, a 100% of our city would have pedestrian connection,” Ashworth said, adding that filling gaps is often costly because the city must sometimes purchase additional right‑of‑way from private properties.
Ashworth said LinkUs transit investments — described in the meeting as providing roughly $60,000,000 a year for sidewalks, bike paths and trails across the region — are a key funding source for pedestrian infrastructure. He also said the city was awarded a $1,650,000 federal grant this year to develop a vulnerable road user safety plan that will analyze where sidewalks and other pedestrian connections should be prioritized.
The presentation and subsequent discussion emphasized practical constraints. Ashworth said that in older neighborhoods the city’s right‑of‑way often does not extend far enough to place a new sidewalk without acquiring land from property owners, a process that can quickly increase costs along lengthy corridors. He described eminent domain as a “last resort.”
Commissioners and community members urged the city to prioritize specific locations. Multiple speakers, including Belinda (a community disability advocate) and Nathaniel Wilkins (a resident), urged that Johnstown Road be moved up on the list because it serves several disability‑serving facilities and requires pedestrian improvements. Belinda said the community expects ADA compliance and urged that funding allocations reflect that expectation.
Ashworth said the city is preparing a request for proposals for the vulnerable road user safety plan and that the plan will help prioritize sidewalk investments and work with infrastructure departments to fill gaps for vulnerable users.
Ending: Staff asked commissioners and residents to submit 311 service requests to flag sidewalk gaps and said the forthcoming safety plan will guide where to invest LinkUs and other funds.
