Columbus City Council Schedules Action on Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 2 Engineering Contract
Legislation for Monday authorizes a $4,595,036.43 engineering contract with Black and Veatch Corporation funded through state clean water loans.
For its meeting on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, Columbus City Council scheduled legislation to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a $4,595,036.43 professional engineering services contract with Black and Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 2 project. The legislation is scheduled for first reading during the council's 5:00 p.m. meeting in Council Chambers.
Looking down the interior of the 12-foot-diameter Lower Olentangy Tunnel during construction beneath Columbus.
Credit: Columbus Underground Image source
The Lower Olentangy Tunnel project is designed to keep rivers and streams cleaner by providing a place for diverting sewage overflows from underground pipes during heavy rains. The project includes a 12-foot-diameter tunnel about 17,000 feet long, constructed at an average depth of 50 feet underground. As outlined in city project records, much of the project alignment generally follows Olentangy River Road.
The legislation authorizes the contract to be funded with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, with funds appropriated within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund. The ordinance is made contingent upon state loan approval by the Ohio Water Development Authority, authorizing an expenditure of up to $4,595,036.43 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund for the contract.
For the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 1 project, the city previously contracted with Black & Veatch Corporation to provide professional construction management services through a multi-year contract with planned renewals. On May 13, 2024, Columbus City Council approved legislation authorizing the expenditure of up to $5,072,270.32 to modify and increase the contract with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 1 project.
Previously, Pique Media reported on Oct. 19, 2026, on Columbus City Council dockets that featured emergency spending, water projects, and zoning hearings.
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Columbus City Council · 2026-10-26
Supporting evidence (6)
For its meeting on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, Columbus City Council scheduled legislation to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a $4,595,036.43 professional engineering services contract with Black and Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 2 project.
Read supporting passage
REGULAR MEETING NO. 47 OF COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL, MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
For its meeting on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, Columbus City Council scheduled legislation to authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a $4,595,036.43 professional engineering services contract with Black and Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 2 project.
Read supporting passage
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to enter into a professional engineering services contract with Black and Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 2 project; to authorize the appropriation of funds within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund; to authorize this contract to be funded with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund; to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $4,595,036.43 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund for the contract. ($4,595,036.43)
The legislation is scheduled for first reading during the council's 5:00 p.m. meeting in Council Chambers.
Read supporting passage
FIRST READING OF 30-DAY LEGISLATION
The legislation is scheduled for first reading during the council's 5:00 p.m. meeting in Council Chambers.
Read supporting passage
REGULAR MEETING NO. 47 OF COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL, MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
The legislation authorizes the contract to be funded with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, with funds appropriated within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund.
Read supporting passage
to authorize the appropriation of funds within the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund; to authorize this contract to be funded with a loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund;
The ordinance is made contingent upon state loan approval by the Ohio Water Development Authority, authorizing an expenditure of up to $4,595,036.43 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund for the contract.
Read supporting passage
to make this ordinance contingent upon the Ohio Water Development Authority approving a loan for this project; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $4,595,036.43 from the Sanitary Revolving Loan Fund for the contract. ($4,595,036.43)
Supporting evidence (2)
The Lower Olentangy Tunnel project is designed to keep rivers and streams cleaner by providing a place for diverting sewage overflows from underground pipes during heavy rains.
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The Lower Olentangy Tunnel is an impressive undertaking. Located at an average depth of 50 feet underground, the 12-foot-diameter tunnel has been under construction since early 2021. By the time it is complete, in September 2026, it will be about 17,000 feet long and will help to keep our rivers and streams cleaner by providing a safe place to divert the overflow of untreated sewage from our city’s century-old network of underground pipes during heavy rains.
The project includes a 12-foot-diameter tunnel about 17,000 feet long, constructed at an average depth of 50 feet underground.
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Located at an average depth of 50 feet underground, the 12-foot-diameter tunnel has been under construction since early 2021. By the time it is complete, in September 2026, it will be about 17,000 feet long
Supporting evidence (6)
As outlined in city project records, much of the project alignment generally follows Olentangy River Road.
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Much of the project alignment generally follows Olentangy River Road.
For the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 1 project, the city previously contracted with Black & Veatch Corporation to provide professional construction management services through a multi-year contract with planned renewals.
Read supporting passage
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to modify and increase the contract with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel - Phase 1 project; to authorize an amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation and transfer of funds from the Sanitary Reserve Fund to the Sanitary-Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund; and to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $5,072,270.32 from the Sanitary-Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund for the contract. ($5,072,270.32)
For the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 1 project, the city previously contracted with Black & Veatch Corporation to provide professional construction management services through a multi-year contract with planned renewals.
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Professional construction management services are needed to ensure construction of the Lower Olentangy Tunnel follows the requirements and specifications of the project design and that the City receives an end product capable of providing the intended function.
For the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 1 project, the city previously contracted with Black & Veatch Corporation to provide professional construction management services through a multi-year contract with planned renewals.
Read supporting passage
This contract was awarded through the City’s RFP process as a multi-year contract with planned renewals to add funding until the construction project is complete.
On May 13, 2024, Columbus City Council approved legislation authorizing the expenditure of up to $5,072,270.32 to modify and increase the contract with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 1 project.
Read supporting passage
5/13/2024
On May 13, 2024, Columbus City Council approved legislation authorizing the expenditure of up to $5,072,270.32 to modify and increase the contract with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel Phase 1 project.
Read supporting passage
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to modify and increase the contract with Black & Veatch Corporation for the Lower Olentangy Tunnel - Phase 1 project; to authorize an amendment to the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the appropriation and transfer of funds from the Sanitary Reserve Fund to the Sanitary-Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund; and to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to $5,072,270.32 from the Sanitary-Fresh Water Market Rate Program Fund for the contract. ($5,072,270.32)
Columbus City Council Dockets Feature Emergency Spending, Water Projects, and Zoning Hearings
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on Oct. 19, 2026, on Columbus City Council dockets that featured emergency spending, water projects, and zoning hearings.
Read supporting passage
Columbus City Council Dockets Feature Emergency Spending, Water Projects, and Zoning Hearings