Scioto Trail Bikeway to be Connected to Marble Cliff

Work continues to move forward on the 0.82-mile extension of the Scioto Trail Bikeway into Marble Cliff. The project has been of interest to residents of Columbus, Marble Cliff, Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington, as well as workers along the Dublin Road corridor, since planning began in 2009.

Under the direction of Greenways Planner Brad Westall of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, the Scioto Trail will be extended from its current terminus at the Rivers Edge Corporate Center to the intersection of Dublin Road and West Fifth Avenue. The bikeway will extend from behind the Rivers Edge complex to the traffic signal at Stella Court where it will cross Dublin Road. The path will continue north along the east side of Dublin Road about 12-15 feet off the edge of the road in the wide lawn area, past Cardigan Avenue, and end at West Fifth Avenue.

Easements and agreements for the new bikeway segment have been negotiated with property owners and the Village of Marble Cliff. Bids will be accepted soon so construction can begin this fall and be completed by summer 2013. The estimated cost of $850,000 will be paid by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Trail Fund. Once the trail is completed, it will be turned over to Metro Parks, which operates and patrols the bike network throughout central Ohio. With the new bikeway will come upgraded pedestrian crossing signals at Fifth Avenue and Dublin Road.

The Scioto Trail segment from Grandview Avenue to the post office on Dublin Road will constructed at the same time as the Marble Cliff segment. “Marble Cliff looks forward to these new sections of the Scioto Bike Trail being completed,” says Marble Cliff Mayor Kent Studebaker. “It will give cyclists, walkers, joggers, and birders access to scenic areas along the Scioto River and to the extensive central Ohio bike trail system.”

For an online version of the new Columbus Metro Bike Map and a link to order maps for events, please go to www.morpc. org/bikemaps. For bike map questions or requests, please email bikemaps@morpc.org.