Worthington Approves $390,000 for Active Transportation and Mobility Projects
Worthington City Council appropriates $390,000 for EMH&T to spearhead a five-part active transportation initiative pairing municipal funds with regional COTA LinkUS dollars.
Worthington City Council has approved legislation appropriating not to exceed Three-Hundred-Ninety-Thousand-Dollars ($390,000) to pay the cost of the 2026 Active Transportation and Mobility Services Project (Project No. 794-26) from the municipal Capital Improvements Fund unappropriated balance.
Council Passed: September 8, 2026 Ordinance No. 26-2026 (As Amended), authorizing City Manager Robyn Stewart to enter into an agreement with the firm of EMH&T for the provision of the aforementioned engineering and planning services. The contract carries the option, at the City’s discretion, to renew the contract for up to two (2) additional one (1) year terms beyond an initial three-year engagement. First introduced on July 20, 2026, the ordinance becomes Effective: September 30,2026.
The municipal action bundles five distinct mobility improvements under a single professional services contract. The overarching program objective is to advance the accessibility of Worthington’s bicycle, pedestrian, and transit network in alignment with the City’s 2019 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, according to procurement specifications in City Project No. 794-26 (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 2).
Program Funding and Regional LinkUS Alignment
The approved $390,000 expenditure is allocated to Account No. 308.8150.533526 within the Capital Improvements Fund (documentRef b5d1a3ee-4da5-3d00-8f6b-713d6bceee52, page 1). While the corridor study component is entirely city-financed, the larger program links local investments to regional transit improvements.
As detailed in municipal records (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 2), Several projects within the Program are funded through COTA’s LinkUS Transit Supportive Infrastructure (TSI) Program. The shared-use path, sidewalk gap elimination, and highway interchange improvements are scheduled in alignment with COTA requirements, with engineering authorizations phased alongside intergovernmental agreements.
Worthington-Galena Road Corridor Study
The first bundled project element focuses on an uncurbed roadway connecting US-23 (High Street) northeast to Schrock Road and East Wilson Bridge Road. Following traffic network reconfigurations that culminated with the completion of the Northeast Gateway project in 2022., overall vehicular volumes on Worthington-Galena Road dropped, but excessive driver speeds and student pedestrian and bicycle traffic to adjacent schools remain unaddressed (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 3).
The corridor study is expected to be locally funded. and will assess existing conditions, safety performance, and future demand. Fieldwork will Collect Turning Movement Count (TMC) data (including bicycles and pedestrians) at High Street, Schrock Road, Crandall Drive, and Highland Avenue (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, pages 3–4).
Engineers will explore three design alternatives, evaluate roundabout feasibility at intersections, and gather community feedback through public meetings and exhibits before presenting recommendations to the Worthington Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and City Council (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 4). The corridor study is scheduled to be Completed by the end of 2027 (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 5).
East Wilson Bridge Road Shared-Use Path
The second element advances detailed engineering for a 10-foot-wide multi-use path stretching 0.7 miles along East Wilson Bridge Road between High Street and Eastview Drive (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 5). The trail will establish a dedicated connection between the Olentangy Trail, the US-23 corridor, and the Worthington Community Center, incorporating the addition of street lighting, street trees, drainage infrastructure, and crosswalks..
Designers must interface with a separate study of the High Street and Wilson Bridge Road intersection, where analysis is scheduled to conclude in early 2027.. The path will be situated within public right-of-way wherever feasible, with legal descriptions and property exhibits prepared where easements prove necessary (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, pages 6–7).
Supported by COTA LinkUS TSI funding, the multi-year project timeline anticipates preliminary design completion in December 2026, detailed design and right-of-way plans in July 2027, land acquisition closure in February 2028, bidding in February 2029, and Construction: May 2029 (CACI) (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 8).
Sidewalk Gap Elimination Program
The third element targets missing pedestrian links across the community. The overall initiative will project will address up to 1.36 miles of sidewalk gaps, as identified in the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 8).
Engineering consultants will categorize identified gaps into three tiers based on design complexity:
- Category 1: No topo or RW needed (least complex, with no survey or right-of-way acquisition required)
- Category 2: Topographic survey required without right-of-way acquisition
- Category 3: Both topographic survey and property acquisition required
Work under the 2026 agreement advances Category 1 segments directly to detailed construction drawings, with Category 1 Plans complete: December 2026, contractor bidding in February 2027, and construction in April 2027 (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 9). More complex locations are anticipated to be funded with additional LinkUS TSI funding in 2027, 2028, and 2029..
SR 315 / SR 161 Interchange and Olentangy Trail Crossing
The fourth element tackles a long-standing active transportation obstacle where the Olentangy Trail meets state highway ramps. City records show the project will eliminate the existing spur and provide a new pedestrian crossing at the eastern ramp intersection of SR-161 and SR-315. (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 9).
Planned improvements include pedestrian signalization, crosswalk signage, pavement markings, guardrail, and ADA-compliant curb ramps. In addition, implemented along the northernmost lane of SR-161 in the vicinity of the crossing to create a buffer between moving traffic and pedestrians (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 9).
These measures stem from an engineering review where an and interchange operation study was conducted in 2025 to identify these countermeasures as acceptable improvements (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 10). Because the project occupies state-controlled land, Note: This project interacts with ODOT right-of-way and will require an ODOT right-of-way permit., along with city floodplain permits and Ohio EPA stormwater reviews (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 11). Design plans are due in February 2027, permits and bidding in March 2027, and contractor Construction: May 2027 (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 12).
General On-Call Mobility and Transportation Services
The fifth element establishes an ongoing on-call mobility mechanism under which EMH&T will provide support on a task-order basis. Under the contract, services will be task-based up to an annual allowance for which the Respondent shall provide an hourly billable rate schedule (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 12).
Services authorized under this element include future corridor studies, traffic modeling, concept and feasibility analyses, grant writing assistance, detailed design, and public engagement through the contract duration ending in 2029 and any subsequent renewal terms. Notice of the adopted legislation has been posted at the Municipal Administration Building, the Worthington Library, the Griswold Center and the Worthington Community Center (documentRef b5d1a3ee-4da5-3d00-8f6b-713d6bceee52, page 2).
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (2)
Worthington City Council has approved legislation appropriating not to exceed Three-Hundred-Ninety-Thousand-Dollars ($390,000) to pay the cost of the 2026 Active Transportation and Mobility Services Project (Project No. 794-26) from the municipal Capital Improvements Fund unappropriated balance.
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not to exceed Three-Hundred-Ninety-Thousand-Dollars ($390,000) to pay the cost of the
Council Passed: September 8, 2026 Ordinance No. 26-2026 (As Amended), authorizing City Manager Robyn Stewart to enter into an agreement with the firm of EMH&T for the provision of the aforementioned engineering and planning services.
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enter into an agreement with the firm of EMH&T for the provision of the aforementioned
Supporting evidence (3)
Council Passed: September 8, 2026 Ordinance No. 26-2026 (As Amended), authorizing City Manager Robyn Stewart to enter into an agreement with the firm of EMH&T for the provision of the aforementioned engineering and planning services.
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Passed: September 8, 2026
First introduced on July 20, 2026, the ordinance becomes Effective: September 30,2026.
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Effective: September 30,2026
Notice of the adopted legislation has been posted at the Municipal Administration Building, the Worthington Library, the Griswold Center and the Worthington Community Center (documentRef b5d1a3ee-4da5-3d00-8f6b-713d6bceee52, page 2).
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Municipal Administration Building, the Worthington Library, the Griswold Center and the
Supporting evidence (3)
The contract carries the option, at the City’s discretion, to renew the contract for up to two (2) additional one (1) year terms beyond an initial three-year engagement.
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the option, at the City’s discretion, to renew the contract for up to two (2) additional one (1) year terms
The overarching program objective is to advance the accessibility of Worthington’s bicycle, pedestrian, and transit network in alignment with the City’s 2019 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, according to procurement specifications in City Project No. 794-26 (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 2).
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accessibility of Worthington’s bicycle, pedestrian, and transit network in alignment with the City’s 2019
As detailed in municipal records (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 2), Several projects within the Program are funded through COTA’s LinkUS Transit Supportive Infrastructure (TSI) Program.
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Several projects within the Program are funded through COTA’s LinkUS Transit Supportive Infrastructure
Supporting evidence (3)
Following traffic network reconfigurations that culminated with the completion of the Northeast Gateway project in 2022., overall vehicular volumes on Worthington-Galena Road dropped, but excessive driver speeds and student pedestrian and bicycle traffic to adjacent schools remain unaddressed (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 3).
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with the completion of the Northeast Gateway project in 2022.
The corridor study is expected to be locally funded. and will assess existing conditions, safety performance, and future demand.
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is expected to be locally funded.
Fieldwork will Collect Turning Movement Count (TMC) data (including bicycles and pedestrians) at High Street, Schrock Road, Crandall Drive, and Highland Avenue (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, pages 3–4).
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Collect Turning Movement Count (TMC) data (including bicycles and pedestrians)
Supporting evidence (3)
The corridor study is scheduled to be Completed by the end of 2027 (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 5).
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Completed by the end of 2027
The trail will establish a dedicated connection between the Olentangy Trail, the US-23 corridor, and the Worthington Community Center, incorporating the addition of street lighting, street trees, drainage infrastructure, and crosswalks..
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addition of street lighting, street trees, drainage infrastructure, and crosswalks.
Designers must interface with a separate study of the High Street and Wilson Bridge Road intersection, where analysis is scheduled to conclude in early 2027..
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scheduled to conclude in early 2027.
Supporting evidence (3)
Supported by COTA LinkUS TSI funding, the multi-year project timeline anticipates preliminary design completion in December 2026, detailed design and right-of-way plans in July 2027, land acquisition closure in February 2028, bidding in February 2029, and Construction: May 2029 (CACI) (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 8).
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Construction: May 2029 (CACI)
The overall initiative will project will address up to 1.36 miles of sidewalk gaps, as identified in the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 8).
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project will address up to 1.36 miles of sidewalk gaps, as identified in the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian
Category 1: No topo or RW needed (least complex, with no survey or right-of-way acquisition required)
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Category 1: No topo or RW needed
Supporting evidence (4)
Work under the 2026 agreement advances Category 1 segments directly to detailed construction drawings, with Category 1 Plans complete: December 2026, contractor bidding in February 2027, and construction in April 2027 (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 9).
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Category 1 Plans complete: December 2026
More complex locations are anticipated to be funded with additional LinkUS TSI funding in 2027, 2028, and 2029..
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anticipated to be funded with additional LinkUS TSI funding in 2027, 2028, and 2029.
City records show the project will eliminate the existing spur and provide a new pedestrian crossing at the eastern ramp intersection of SR-161 and SR-315.
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eastern ramp intersection of SR-161 and SR-315.
In addition, implemented along the northernmost lane of SR-161 in the vicinity of the crossing to create a buffer between moving traffic and pedestrians (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 9).
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implemented along the northernmost lane of SR-161 in the vicinity of the crossing to create a buffer
Supporting evidence (2)
These measures stem from an engineering review where an and interchange operation study was conducted in 2025 to identify these countermeasures as acceptable improvements (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 10).
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and interchange operation study was conducted in 2025 to identify these countermeasures as acceptable
Because the project occupies state-controlled land, Note: This project interacts with ODOT right-of-way and will require an ODOT right-of-way permit., along with city floodplain permits and Ohio EPA stormwater reviews (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 11).
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Note: This project interacts with ODOT right-of-way and will require an ODOT right-of-way permit.
Supporting evidence (2)
Design plans are due in February 2027, permits and bidding in March 2027, and contractor Construction: May 2027 (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 12).
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Construction: May 2027
Under the contract, services will be task-based up to an annual allowance for which the Respondent shall provide an hourly billable rate schedule (documentRef a273dcfd-5dcb-3a25-afbc-0b59ea57de9e, page 12).
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services will be task-based up to an annual allowance for which the Respondent shall provide an hourly