Upper Arlington outlines busy 2026 CIP: Northwest Boulevard reconstruction, waterlines, sidewalks and shared‑use path
March 09, 2026 | Upper Arlington, Franklin County, Ohio
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City Engineer Aaron Scott briefed council on the 2026 capital improvement program and a public “story map” that locates projects and provides schedule and contact details.
Key transportation projects include Northwest Boulevard Phase 3, described as a full reconstruction with curb work and new pavement base; staff said the work is scheduled to begin immediately after the July 4 parade and that Columbia Gas restorations will be required to restore parade‑ready pavement. Scott called the project "a pretty large" reconstruction but noted it will not include waterline replacement in this phase.
The plan also separates street maintenance (mill-and-overlay, lower impact) from street reconstruction (full curb and base work) and explained that streets are grouped geographically to optimize bidding. Scott said the city will continue targeted waterline transfers (Zollinger Road ahead of 2027 roadway work) and a hydrant replacement program driven by discontinued models and parts shortages.
Pedestrian safety projects include a crosswalk enhancement program funded through an ODOT safety award (roughly $393,000) intended to add rapid flashing beacons at selected crosswalks, and a Riverside Drive shared‑use path that secured about $750,000 in state capital grant funds but awaits final signatures from the City of Columbus for a jurisdictional portion of the route. ODOT separately will replace an aging culvert near Fishinger, with a permitted closure of Riverside Drive for up to 45 days and a detour that avoids city streets.
Parks Deputy Director Jeff Anderson described progress at the Devon toddler pool (on track to open May 23), the Fancyburg Service Yard rebid/value‑engineering effort after high bid results, the North of East Athletic Fields (preconstruction with April mobilization), planned pedestrian bridge replacements and a planned call for artists for public art at the community center.
On the Five‑Points intersection study, Scott said public feedback included concerns about pedestrian crossings, the complexity of five‑leg roundabout alternatives, and delay impacts from signal‑based options. Staff will analyze input, review cost and safety tradeoffs, and return later with a recommended alternative. For Zonzia/Zollinger Road corridor work, staff highlighted parking impacts and said preferred alternatives will be presented with plan‑view cross sections to show how segments affect specific homes and businesses.
Aaron Scott pointed council and residents to the online capital improvements story map for detailed, project‑level information and contact points for resident questions.
Key transportation projects include Northwest Boulevard Phase 3, described as a full reconstruction with curb work and new pavement base; staff said the work is scheduled to begin immediately after the July 4 parade and that Columbia Gas restorations will be required to restore parade‑ready pavement. Scott called the project "a pretty large" reconstruction but noted it will not include waterline replacement in this phase.
The plan also separates street maintenance (mill-and-overlay, lower impact) from street reconstruction (full curb and base work) and explained that streets are grouped geographically to optimize bidding. Scott said the city will continue targeted waterline transfers (Zollinger Road ahead of 2027 roadway work) and a hydrant replacement program driven by discontinued models and parts shortages.
Pedestrian safety projects include a crosswalk enhancement program funded through an ODOT safety award (roughly $393,000) intended to add rapid flashing beacons at selected crosswalks, and a Riverside Drive shared‑use path that secured about $750,000 in state capital grant funds but awaits final signatures from the City of Columbus for a jurisdictional portion of the route. ODOT separately will replace an aging culvert near Fishinger, with a permitted closure of Riverside Drive for up to 45 days and a detour that avoids city streets.
Parks Deputy Director Jeff Anderson described progress at the Devon toddler pool (on track to open May 23), the Fancyburg Service Yard rebid/value‑engineering effort after high bid results, the North of East Athletic Fields (preconstruction with April mobilization), planned pedestrian bridge replacements and a planned call for artists for public art at the community center.
On the Five‑Points intersection study, Scott said public feedback included concerns about pedestrian crossings, the complexity of five‑leg roundabout alternatives, and delay impacts from signal‑based options. Staff will analyze input, review cost and safety tradeoffs, and return later with a recommended alternative. For Zonzia/Zollinger Road corridor work, staff highlighted parking impacts and said preferred alternatives will be presented with plan‑view cross sections to show how segments affect specific homes and businesses.
Aaron Scott pointed council and residents to the online capital improvements story map for detailed, project‑level information and contact points for resident questions.
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