On behalf of the Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC), I respectfully submit the below comments in response to the 2024-2027 Major New Construction Draft Program List which was adopted by the Transportation Review Advisory Committee (TRAC) on January 31, 2024, and scheduled to be approved at the February 28, 2024 Regular Session Meeting.
GOPC recognizes the work TRAC has undertaken to review and develop this draft program list. We are especially excited to see the proposed funding for the COTA West Broad Street Corridor project, which will implement bus rapid transit along a nine-mile corridor on U.S. 40 from downtown Columbus west to Prairie Township. While we realize these funds are contingent on the local levy passing in November 2024, we are impressed that ODOT will be among the first funders “in” on the project.
The COTA West Broad Street Corridor is the first step in what promises to be a significant investment in public transportation in the Columbus area, along with other improvements that will assist in the safe movement of people on multiple modes of transportation. GOPC has long-advocated for this type of transportation investment and is grateful TRAC has decided to reserve $15 million for this project.
This is the second investment TRAC has made in a public transportation project in the last several years. We applaud TRAC’s $12 million investment in the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) MetroHealth Line, which is implementing BRT in Cleveland. BRT investments will move more people safely through densely populated areas, making the roadways less dangerous for all users.
While the COTA West Board Street Corridor investment constitutes just 3% of the total TRAC Major New Construction Program for the four years covered by this project list (2024-2027), GOPC hopes a greater share of TRAC funds will be allocated to similar projects in the future.
Thank you for your consideration of these comments and suggestions. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me either by phone at 614-224-0187 (office) or 614-245-5406 (mobile) or via email at jwarner@greaterohio.org.
With regards,
Jason Warner Director of Strategic Engagement Greater Ohio Policy Center