State Route 161 Improvements Phase 2
State Route 161 Improvements Phase 2
Comment Responses Available
A stakeholder meeting "open house" was held on June 29, 2023. Please see below for more details and information about the project.
Responses to the comments received at the stakeholder open house are available to view and download under the "Documents" section located in the sidebar of this project webpage. Many comments received during the open house were related to property impacts, questions regarding the shared-use path and other pedestrian improvements, landscaping and aesthetics, and safety concerns.
Construction is expected to begin summer 2026 and last approximately 17 months. Residents and the public will be notified of detour information once known. COTA bus stop locations may be closed and/or temporarily relocated. Pedestrian access will be maintained where existing sidewalks are present, with detours provided to safely route pedestrian traffic around the construction zones. If right-of-way acquisition is necessary from your property, the City of Columbus Real Estate Office will contact you directly at a later date to discuss the right-of-way needs, the acquisition process, and your rights under that process.
If you have questions or wish to obtain additional information about the project please contact Tiffany Elchert at TMElchert@columbus.gov or 614-645-2923.
State Route 161 Corridor Improvements – Phase 2 (Ambleside to Maple Canyon)
FRA-161-11.73 (PID 115797)
What is the project?
The City of Columbus, in coordination with the Ohio Department of Transportation, is proposing to make improvements to State Route (S.R.) 161 with additional safety improvements on side streets north and south of S.R.161.
The project is the second phase of a series of projects that will make improvements to S.R. 161, including a 10’ shared-use path, safety improvements on the side streets and at the service road intersections. The purpose of this project is to improve safety, access management, and traffic operations.
Improvements include:
- Replace the existing traffic signals at the intersections of S.R. 161 and Tamarack/Sharon Woods Boulevard and Beechcroft Road
- Construct a shared-use path on the north and south side of S.R. 161 between Ambleside Drive and Maple Canyon Avenue
- Improve side streets along Tamarack/Sharon Woods Boulevard and Beechcroft Road
- Install urban roundabouts
- Reconstruct, widen, and resurface pavement
- Replace or install new sidewalk
- Construct a raised median between S.R. 161 and the roundabouts, including through the service road intersections.
- Curb, curb ramps, street lighting, and storm sewer improvements throughout the project corridor
Construction is expected during the 2026 and 2027 construction seasons.
Why is input needed?
In the State Route 161 Corridor Study, completed in 2017, multiple short-term, and long-term improvements were selected as potential improvements. Ultimately as a result of that study, the City of Columbus determined, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation and feedback from the public, that the recommended long-term improvement was the construction of mini-roundabouts and median islands along the service roads. Several phases will be required to fully implement the recommended improvements. This project is Phase 2. The design team has developed preliminary designs for these improvements and is seeking input from nearby stakeholders before the design advances further. Once stakeholder feedback has been collected, the design team will look at feedback, issue responses, and/or make updates to the preliminary design. The team will then host a public meeting to present proposed improvements and gather feedback from the public.
How can I participate/provide comments?
Project stakeholders are invited to an open house on June 29, 2023, at the Karl Road Library Branch (meeting rooms 1- 2) from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. and/or 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. As this is an open house style meeting, you’re welcome to stop by whenever is convenient for you between the two times listed above to learn more about the project, chat with project team members, ask questions, and submit your feedback.
You can also participate by reviewing the project information below. Navigate to the “Comments & Next Steps” section to submit any comments or questions you may have.
Questions and comments about the project can also be submitted to Tiffany Elchert, the Project Manager, by the following methods:
- Email: TMElchert@columbus.gov
- Call Tiffany Elchert: 614-645-2923
- Mail a comment form (located for download in the sidebar of this webpage) or letter to:
Tiffany Elchert, Project Manager
City of Columbus
111 North Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Comments may be submitted until July 29, 2023.
Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you.