Public Safety and Future Connectivity Lead Hilliard to 'Yes' on Pedestrian Bridge
First of its Kind Project Benefits from Blended Funding Package
A stand-alone pedestrian bridge at Cemetery Road and Interstate 270 in Hilliard- the first to be constructed within the I-270 corridor- could be complete in 2027.
The proposal has been on a drawing board for about three years but will take a significant step forward in September when Hilliard, through the Ohio Department of Transportation, solicits proposals from design firms to create a blueprint for the pedestrian bridge, according to Letty Schamp, the city engineer and head of Transportation for Hilliard.
Although subject to inflation, the estimate for the project is $11.5 million but the city of Hilliard is to pay as little as approximately 13% of the cost.
In August, Hilliard learned it is to receive $3 million from the Highway Safety Improvement Program of the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The $3 million appropriation is but a fraction of the $61 million in funding ODOT is doling out toward projects in 16 Ohio counties, including Franklin County, to build safer roads and sidewalks in the Buckeye State.
Coupled with about $7 million in funding from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the city will need to contribute only approximately $1.5 million to meet the estimated $11.5 million construction cost.
“This is a hugely transformative project for Hilliard,” Schamp said.
“It’s not just about recreation, but providing safe access for all people, especially for those that do not own a car or do not want to have to use a car to get around. This also has potential to transform Cemetery Road and Mill Run from a development standpoint and greatly improve connectivity throughout Hilliard’s I-270 corridor.”
The multi-use path will be on a separate bridge on the south side of Cemetery Road, which will not impact automobile traffic or any future ODOT improvements, according to Schamp.
The pedestrian bridge will eliminate all free-flow ramp crossings for path users and there will be only one ramp crossing at a signalized intersection.
A tunnel is also proposed under the off-ramp from I-270 South.
There is some consideration of a second tunnel on the east side of I-270 under the off-ramp coming from the south onto Cemetery Road but it is not included in the initial estimate.
It could be part of an alternate bid when the city solicits bids, according to Chase Evans, community relations specialist for Hilliard.
“With funding now approved, city staff and ODOT will move forward with the design stage in 2024,” Schamp said.
In the following years, more prep work will begin with right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation. Construction is expected in 2026 and 2027.
“The pedestrian bridge over I-270 will be a huge asset to our community and aligns with the city’s long-range plan to improve the environment, promote alternate forms of transportation, support local business, and connect our community to Central Ohio’s multi-use path system. The city’s comprehensive plan provides guidance for these goals through the creation of such bike and pedestrian trails,” Schamp said.
The pedestrian bridge will connect to Trueman Boulevard on the east side of the bridge and in turn provide pedestrian access to Tuttle Crossing Boulevard to the north.
On the west side, it would provide pedestrian access to Britton Parkway and to destinations north in Dublin via Britton Parkway.
The project has far-reaching benefits, according to Evans.
“This project creates an important connection over I-270 at Cemetery Road for pedestrians (and) bicycles (and) would facilitate the ability for people to walk and bike to work (while opening) the doors for greater access to dining, shopping and entertainment in existing and planned developments,” Evans said.
“The Mill Run area is poised for growth thanks to developments like TruePointe and a booming I-270 corridor. A safe and user-friendly pedestrian bridge over the interstate will be a game-changer for Hilliard because it improves our residents' quality of life and benefits everyone into the future, businesses included,” Chase said.
Hilliard City Councilman Pete Marsh commended the city staff for the effort put into making the pedestrian bridge possible.
“Our staff did a tremendous job procuring outside funding to bring this project to us at a minimal cost,” Marsh said.
You can view the plan here: https://hilliardohio.gov/hilliards-comprehensive-plan/.
You can listen to our first podcast breaking down the various elements of the Community Plan here:
The Hilliard Community Plan #1
Listen now (21 mins) | Welcome to our FREE preview episode of the Hilliard Beacon’s Community Plan Program! Tim and Jordan cover the Eight Big Ideas that weave in and out of our brand new draft Community Plan - guiding the process and providing an overall structure to the evaluation of development as it happens in our city.
This would be way down my list of priorities for capital spending, even understanding that the City will be on the hook for a fraction the total cost. A much more impactful investment would be to acquire the railroad right of way from Old Hilliard south to connect with the regional trail system. Or how about buying at least enough of it so that the Scioto-Darby/Walcutt roundabout can be connected directly to Leap Rd?
We should go to the expense of a pedestrian bridge so that I can bike over I270 to pick up lumber at Lowes and have some lunch at KFC? I know this will sound like sour grapes, but like a lot of things, I believe our leadership just wants this bridge because Dublin has one. I think there is very little at Mill Run to attract the average resident or anyone from outside of town. In terms of places, I go for shopping or entertainment, on a scale of 1 to 10, Mill Run rates a one or two with me. It’s the same for a lot of people I know. We will never be as upscale as Dublin is at this point. Our city does things backwards. They approve a lot of development and then think about the infrastructure afterwords. They are doing it with the new plan now.