Project Background
COTA’s Northeast Corridor Alternatives Analysis (NECAA) was conducted to improve service and address growing demand for public transit in the Cleveland Avenue area.  Line #1 Cleveland/Livingston is COTA’s second busiest line, with the majority of daily ridership occurring along Cleveland Avenue. During 2012, weekday trips along Cleveland Avenue average over 10 percent above 2011 levels, resulting in people standing several trips a day.

In 2010, COTA successfully applied for a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant to study transportation alternatives on Cleveland Avenue. Initiated in October 2011, the Alternatives Analysis was the first step to securing federal funding to implement service and passenger amenity improvements. This effort is in coordination with the City of Columbus, Franklin County, and other agencies, to help enhance the area by improving mobility options, providing quality affordable housing, and promoting economic development opportunities.

Locally Preferred Alternative
The final outcome of Alternatives Analysis is a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) consisting of a service mode, an alignment, and termini. The LPA was developed with extensive public involvement activities. In June 2012, COTA’s Board of Trustees adopted a 15.6 mile LPA of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service operating in mixed traffic. High frequency service will operate primarily along Cleveland Ave., between downtown Columbus and SR-161 (10.3 miles), with enhanced local service continuing north to Polaris Parkway (5.3 miles). View the map. In addition, view also the June 2012 presentation to the Board of Trustees.The LPA project application was submitted to FTA for funding approval in August 2012.

Pictured: Kansas City’s Main St. MAX BRT 

BRT in mixed traffic offers tools to increase the speed and convenience of transit service, improving mobility through the corridor. Several project benefits of the proposed LPA include: 

• Twenty percent travel time savings

• Increase in ridership by 15 to 30 percent within the first five years

• Meet long-term service needs for growing ridership market

• Provide pedestrian amenities and access improvements

• Improve service in corridor, especially north of Northern Lights

• Provide next bus real-time arrival information

Comment on the LPA (Updated April 2013)
Following several surveys administered during the NECAA study, COTA continues to engage the community about the LPA. Participate by providing feedback via the Comment on the LPA link above.

Project Update
Although an LPA approval and funding decision by FTA was anticipated by the end of 2012, the timeframe has been extended due to recent changes in the new Federal transportation bill (MAP-21), and implementation of Federal budget reductions due to sequestration. Read the Project Update handout. 

Next Steps
Contingent upon FTA approval, during the period 2013-2016, project development will include an environmental study, preliminary engineering and final design followed by the construction phase.  BRT service is estimated to begin operation in 2016. View project timeline here.

• View the LPA report
• View the Round III Public Involvement presentation (June 2012)
• View the Round II Public Involvement presentation (February 2012)
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