Eleven Projects in Central Ohio Seeking over $290 Million in TRAC Funding
[COLUMBUS, OH, June 17, 2025] – The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is seeking comments on projects for which funding is being requested from the Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
TRAC is integral in evaluating and selecting many of ODOT’s largest transportation project investments, funded through the Major New Capacity Program. Projects have a total projected cost of more than $12 million and are critical to enhance mobility & economic development. The projects will also add transportation capacity and improve the quality of life of Ohio residents. The 2025 application period closed at the end of May, with eleven projects from the MORPC Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) region, including Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, and Delaware counties, submitting applications for funding. Final funding decisions by TRAC are expected later this year.
As part of the selection process, ODOT requests that MPOs like MORPC facilitate local input by prioritizing the applications for projects within the agency’s transportation planning boundaries.
“Central Ohio is growing rapidly – on pace to reach 3.15 million people by 2050. Projects like these are essential for preparing and accommodating this growth within our mobility network. The prioritization process involves a thorough analysis of each project to ensure alignment with the region’s transportation and development goals as detailed in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).”
The public is also invited to provide feedback on each application to better understand local perspectives.
“These applications represent more than $290 million in funding requests for our region. We are asking community members to share their input on these proposals. It is important that we understand our community’s needs to help MORPC prioritize and advocate for these projects effectively.”
“These applications represent more than $290 million in funding requests for our region. We are asking community members to share their input on these proposals,” said MORPC Transportation Direction Maria Schaper. “It is important that we understand our community’s needs to help MORPC prioritize and advocate for these projects effectively.”
Applications for projects located within MORPC’s metropolitan planning organization area include:
SR 315 at Lane Avenue
This project supports economic development in and around the Ohio State Innovation District to addresses mobility, system linkage, and access issues created by SR-315’s initial construction and area growth. Significant work is expected on SR-315’s Lane Avenue interchange and Lane Avenue itself, as well as the associated bridges, signals, intersections, interchanges, and ramps. The PE phase will identify alternatives for an improved interchange configuration and conclude with a preferred configuration that best serves regional jobs growth. The City of Columbus is applying for $1.5 million for preliminary engineering in fiscal year 2027.
Alum Creek Drive
This roadway widening project will including adding a third through lane in each direction to existing Alum Creek Drive. Pedestrian facilities (sidewalk on one side and a shared use path on the other) will also be installed. The bridges over Big Walnut Creek will be replaced. Alum Creek Drive is a principal arterial for both freight and passenger traffic and provides primary access to Rickenbacker International Airport and Inland Port. Franklin County Engineer is applying for $29.84 million for construction in fiscal year 2028.
East Main Street Bus Rapid Transit
The East Main Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is approximately 13.6 miles in length with over 60% of exclusive or semi-exclusive guideway. The line will serve 17 stations and operate from Downtown Columbus to the east serving Columbus, Bexley, Whitehall, and Reynoldsburg. The eastern terminus will feature a new transit center and park-and-ride facility with 75–90 parking stalls. The project also includes pedestrian facility enhancements to improve access to planned stations areas. Additionally, ODOT is a sponsor for the Safe System Approach program along the corridor. COTA is applying for $22.8 million for construction in fiscal year 2027.
I-70 at SR 256 and Taylor Road
The project involves various interchange improvements at SR 256 and Taylor Road SW, including realigning the ramps at SR 256, continuing auxiliary lanes between SR 256 and Taylor Road, a new bridge over I-70 for Taylor Road SW with ramps to I-70, constructing auxiliary lanes between SR 256 and Taylor Road SW, adding turn lanes at the SR 204 and Taylor Road SW intersection and at Taylor Road and Taylor Road SW intersection, and widening Taylor Road SW between Taylor Road and SR 204. ODOT District 5 is applying for $163.4 million for construction in fiscal year 2027.
SR 161 and SR 37 Widening
The project involves the widening of SR 161 and SR 37 in Franklin and Licking County. Work will include operational improvements to the service interchanges at Beech Road, Mink Street and SR 37. The project is being developed to support expected high intensity use economic development projects near the Silicon Heartland site in western Licking County. ODOT District 5 is applying for $0.5 million for detailed design and $10 million for right-of-way in fiscal year 2027.
Downtown Ramp Up Phase 2D
This project completes the rebuild of the east interchange of I-70 and I-71 by eliminating weaves, consolidating ramps and adds capacity. Project 2D rebuilds the Main Street bridge over I-71 and also coordinates with the COTA LinkUS initiative for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.
Projects 2C, 2E and 2G have already constructed parts of this east interchange with local connections and interchange work. The District is advancing Project 3 to the north with TRAC design funds. ODOT District 6 is applying for $15 million for detailed design in fiscal year 2027.
Sunbury Parkway Phase B
This project advances the next phase (Sunbury Parkway Phase B) to the west of interstate 71 to South 3 B’s & K Rd. Including a proposed intersection of Sunbury Parkway and South 3 B’s & K Rd. The project will enhance capacity and increase mobility of the national highway system in partnership with private economic development. ODOT District 6 is applying for $4 million for right-of-way in fiscal year 2026 and $10 million for construction in fiscal year 2027.
Sunbury Parkway Phase C
This project further extends Sunbury Parkway (Phase C) from Phase B at the intersection of South 3 B’s & K Rd and Sunbury Parkway to the proposed intersection of Africa Rd and US36/SR37 just east of Alum Creek. Project also includes the NB on ramp to the CD road at the interchange from Sunbury Parkway. The project will enhance capacity and increase mobility of the national highway system in partnership with private economic development. ODOT District 6 is applying for $2 million for right-of-way in fiscal year 2028 and $4 million for construction in fiscal year 2029.
US 23 and Orange Road Intersection
This project would purchase advance right-of-way at the US 23/Orange Road intersection for future roadway improvements to the corridor. The project was identified in the Route 23 Connect study. ODOT District 6 is applying for $5 million for preliminary engineering and $6 million for right-of-way in fiscal year 2027.
US 23 and Home Road Intersection
This project would purchase advance right-of-way at the US 23/Home Road intersection for future roadway improvements to the corridor. The project was identified in the Route 23 Connect study. ODOT District 6 is applying for $5 million for preliminary engineering and $11 million for right-of-way in fiscal year 2027.
Franklin 1-71 28.147 (North Outerbelt)
This project would construct a new loop or flyover ramp from I-71 southbound to I-270 eastbound on the north outerbelt side of Columbus. ODOT District 6 is applying for $3 million for preliminary engineering in fiscal year 2027 and $1 million for detailed design in fiscal year 2028.
One-page fact sheets on the projects are available at morpc.org/funding.
The public is encouraged to provide comments or additional information to assist in determining MORPC’s priorities, including advantages and/or disadvantages of projects.
All comments must be submitted via e-mail to trac@morpc.org or mailed in writing to Maria Schaper, Re: TRAC Public Input, 111 Liberty Street, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215. The deadline to submit feedback is 5:00 p.m., on Friday, August 8, 2025.
To learn more information, please visit Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) – MORPC.org.
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The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission is Central Ohio’s voice. As a Regional Council with 90 local governments and community partners, we provide nonpartisan data analysis, community resources, and long-range planning. Together, we drive the future prosperity and sustainability of the Central Ohio region. Learn more at www.morpc.org.
