Public Service unveils $255.2 million capital proposal for street resurfacing, LinkUs corridors and a new south outpost

The Department of Public Service presented a $255.2 million capital proposal for 2025 that emphasizes street resurfacing, bridges, multimodal LinkUs projects, Vision Zero safety work and a new operational outpost on the city's south side.

Assistant Director Andrea Losek said the department's proposal includes $117.1 million in new funding and $138.1 million in carryover. Among the line items: a $35.1 million combined new-and-carryover street-resurfacing program covering more than 122 streets and 328 ADA curb ramps; a $3.4 million bridge rehabilitation allocation; and $22.1 million for LinkUs corridor projects that include bus rapid transit betterments and shared-use paths.

"The Department of Public Services proposed 2025 capital improvements budget totals $255,200,000, including 117,100,000.0 in new funding and 138,100,000.0 in carryover funds," Losek said during her overview.

Key projects she named were the West Broad Street BRT betterments, the Broad Street (Capital) Trail phase 2 design, and targeted mobility investments including separated bike lanes along South High Street. The department also proposed $18 million for a new South Outpost at 2260 Lockbourne Road to replace an aging facility; Losek said the new structure will include offices, garage space for CNG vehicles, a salt barn, fuel island and covered storage.

The department cited $2.4 million for full-depth reconstruction of Leonard Avenue under a railroad bridge — including drainage and raised sidewalks — and $2.9 million for Mount Vernon Avenue phase 1 multimodal upgrades (with $500,000 in ODOT grant leverage). Vision Zero safety work was listed at $11.9 million, and mobility/sidewalk projects at about $41.4 million.

Council members raised operational questions: one asked how street-resurfacing candidates are selected and Losek described a pavement‑condition rating database used to prioritize worst-scored segments, along with traffic counts and 311 reports. On illegal dumping and the Clean Neighborhoods initiative, Losek said the department has installed cameras at problem locations and changed from larger to smaller collection cans to reduce dumping.

Why it matters: The Public Service proposal funds day‑to‑day street and sidewalk maintenance that residents visibly experience, while also aligning sidewalk and bikeway investments with the LinkUs transit initiative. The south outpost investment was highlighted by council members as an operational improvement that will reduce travel time for crews and support service delivery in southern neighborhoods.

Looking ahead: The department said resurfacing is typically delivered in multiple packages per year and that LinkUs and other corridor projects will be phased and paired with state and federal grant funding where available.