Construction on the downtown Columbus two-mile pedestrian and bike pathway known as the Capital Line is expected to begin next summer.
The city of Columbus and project managers with Downtown Columbus Inc. say the $100 million project will be done in phases, starting with a portion of Gay Street. Design on the project's first phase running from 4th Street to Front Street on Gay Street is expected to wrap up by spring and construction could start by the end of the summer.
Downtown Columbus Inc. President Amy Taylor told WOSU the bike and pedestrian walkway is still planned to form a loop through downtown Columbus and Franklinton mostly along Gay Street, Rich Street and 4th Street.
Taylor said the project will be transformational for downtown Columbus.
"We have an aggressive time frame. We heard from the community that they want this done, but they also don't want the disruption to go over multiple years," Taylor said.
Taylor said the Gay Street phase is important to start with, because it will be different than much of the rest of the loop. The pedestrian and bike walkway will be 29 feet long at this juncture, compared to 12 feet for much of the rest of the loop.
"It's going to be the most integrated and robust part of the project. And that's because we're looking at not only developing that Capital Line trail, but we're looking to really reimagine Gay Street," Taylor said.
The south side of Gay Street has parking spaces as of now that will be replaced with planters, seats, trees and the loop under this plan.
Similar amenities will also be added to the remainder of the loop.
The next phase of the project, which hasn't been determined yet, could start design as soon as the first phase is under construction.
Taylor said planners are now working with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) to make sure infrastructure work doesn't overlap. COTA will be working on the West Broad Street bus rapid transit corridor in the same area after the LinkUs sales tax levy passed.
Taylor says that first phase could open by the end of 2026 at the earliest.
