Strawberry Farms

What is the latest word on the Alum Creek bike trail?

Bike Trail (continued)

I received an e-mail message from a representative from the Westerville Parks and Rec. They ststed that the stretch from I-270 to 161 would be a joint venture with Cols Rec and Parks. The trail would run on the East side of Alum Creek. They hope to have this stretch completed by mid-2003. At 161, the path would switch to the West side of Alum Creek. The stretch from 161 to points South would be done by ODOT. What is the word from ODOT on their bidding and/or construction? If the West side is their intention, will we have a bridge connecting our park to the trail on the other bank?

Westerville Parks and Rec e-mail

Here is the message I received from Michael Cooper:

The City of Westerville and the City of Columbus both have partnered to
get grants to construct the Alum Creek Bikeway from Schrock Road to
Route 161 in our respective jurisdictions. Westerville will be bidding
out the contruction this winter from Schrock Road to I-270 and
costruction will be completed in 2003. I believe that ODOT is in the
process of bidding the Columbus portion now! Their section is much
longer so you will need to ask them the status of the bid and completion
date. I would like to remind you that these projects are both part of
the Ohio Erie Trail from Lake Erie to the Ohio River when completed. The
Westerville section will be on the east side if Alum Creek and will
shift to the west side in Columbus south of Westerville.

An answer to my own question

The following table shows what I've been told is open to traffic or
planned for construction.

Franklin
The Creeks, a path in SE Franklin County that follows Alum Creek from the
Three Creeks Metro Park north to SR 104. Part of 17-mile long Alum Creek
Bikeway which, when complete, will connect to Westerville.
4.3
The City of Columbus Recreation and Parks, and the Metropolitan Park
District of Columbus & Franklin County
614-645-2441 or 614-891-0700 TDD - 614-895-6240
Franklin
Alum Creek Bikeway - I-670 Bikeway connector to The Creeks path. Call
Dale for details.
planned for 2003 const.
Dale Hooper, Bicycle Coordinator, City of Columbus Public Service Dept., Traffic Engineering, 109 N. Front
Street Columbus, OH 43215
614-645-8079
Franklin
Alum Creek Bikeway - Academy Park to Main St.
0.34
City of Columbus Recreation and Parks, 200 Greenlawn Avenue, Columbus, OH
43223
614-645-2441
Franklin
Alum Creek Bikeway - Livingston Avenue to Academy Park
0.75
City of Columbus Recreation and Parks, 200 Greenlawn Avenue, Columbus, OH
43223
614-645-2441
Franklin
Alum Creek Bikeway, from old SR 161 to the Columbus/Westerville corp line
at I-270. 40% of costs to be paid with Federal Enhancement funds, gotten
from Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), City of Columbus funds
will cover the rest. ODOT awarded the job to Ft. Defiance Construction
and Supply on 12/30/02. Expected completion, 10/31/03.

planned for 2003 const. 2.45
Brad Westall, City of Columbus Recreation and Parks, 200 Greenlawn Avenue,
Columbus, OH 43223
614-645-2441

A planned project not shown in the table will run from SR 161 south to the
soccer fields at Easton. All points between Easton and Airport Drive are
long range planning, as, to my knowledge there is no funding lined up.

''I have been informed that Westerville and Columbus are handling the
section from Westerville to SR 161 and ODOT has the rest.''

This person misinformed you. . . Alum Creek is located in the City of
Columbus, and the bikeway is a City of Columbus initiative. The City is
responsible for environmental clearances, plan development, right of way
acquisition, and must secure funding. ODNR, MORPC, and ODOT fund
bikeways, and foundations may also provide funds. (The only active City
of Columbus bikeway selected by this office is the extension of the
Olentangy Bikeway from Wilson Bridge Road over to Mt. Air, on SR 315. That
project was also awarded to a contractor on 12/30/02)

ODOT's involvement with bikeways: we select projects from among the many applicants for Federal Enhancement funds. (ODOT can
affect the pace of construction ONLY if the City of Columbus submits an
application for funds). If funded, we encourage the City to keep it on schedule. If the agreement between ODOT and the City of Columbus is that ODOT will
handle the bids, then, when plans are done, ODOT awards the project to a contractor. An agreement is signed between ODOT and the contractor, and ODOT's
responsibility is to ensure the bikeway is built according to plan/guidelines with acceptable
materials, if Federal funds are used. ODOT handles inspections. Once construction is done, and acceptable to the City, the project is
turned over to them to maintain.

Thank you for your interest in Ohio's bikeways.

Sharon Todd, Parks and Bicycle/Pedestrian Programs Manager
Ohio DOT, Office of Local Projects
1980 W. Broad Street, 2nd floor
Columbus, OH 43223
614-752-4685 (fax 614-887-4065)