Councilwoman Barrosa De Padilla outlines LinkUS accessibility, sidewalks and 'complete streets' to disability commission
May 29, 2026 | Columbus City Council, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio
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Councilwoman Barrosa De Padilla, chair of Columbus’s Public Service and Transportation Committee, briefed the Columbus Advisory Commission on Disability Issues on May 28 about ongoing transportation programs and accessibility initiatives.
De Padilla described the city’s LinkUS bus-rapid-transit program—two initial lines with level boarding at stations designed for people who use mobility devices—and said the first line on West Broad Street is breaking ground. "The BRT line is really…a subway above ground," she said, explaining that LinkUS combines dedicated lanes and station infrastructure to move buses more safely and reliably.
She summarized several accessibility and pedestrian strategies: updating zoning to require developer-provided sidewalks for major projects, installing curb ramps when resurfacing or curb work is performed, and building shared-use paths where protected bike lanes are not possible. The councilwoman said the city recently codified a Complete Streets policy into code to ensure equity and safety are considered in road projects.
De Padilla also described an East Broad demonstration (discussed earlier by Vision Zero staff), and said some federal LinkUS funding has supported related infrastructure. On enforcement and compliance, she said the city raised some parking infraction fines—charging more for parking in handicap spots, bus lanes, bike lanes or crosswalks—and is working to direct a portion of those revenues to local organizations doing accessibility work.
Commissioners pressed about COTA’s on-demand/mainstream service coverage and whether LinkUS funding had supported COTA’s geographic expansion. De Padilla said LinkUS tax revenues funded both bus infrastructure and other mobility projects across the region, and she encouraged commissioners to invite COTA to present to the commission so members could raise concerns about coverage and accessibility directly with the transit agency.
De Padilla answered local project questions about sidewalks near Franklin County facilities and a phased shared-use path project on McNott Road, saying the city is moving projects forward in phases to reduce traffic disruption and to make selected stretches accessible and continuous over time.
She offered to follow up on specific sidewalk requests and encouraged commissioners and staff to schedule COTA for a future meeting.
No votes or formal directives were taken at the meeting because it lacked a quorum.
De Padilla described the city’s LinkUS bus-rapid-transit program—two initial lines with level boarding at stations designed for people who use mobility devices—and said the first line on West Broad Street is breaking ground. "The BRT line is really…a subway above ground," she said, explaining that LinkUS combines dedicated lanes and station infrastructure to move buses more safely and reliably.
She summarized several accessibility and pedestrian strategies: updating zoning to require developer-provided sidewalks for major projects, installing curb ramps when resurfacing or curb work is performed, and building shared-use paths where protected bike lanes are not possible. The councilwoman said the city recently codified a Complete Streets policy into code to ensure equity and safety are considered in road projects.
De Padilla also described an East Broad demonstration (discussed earlier by Vision Zero staff), and said some federal LinkUS funding has supported related infrastructure. On enforcement and compliance, she said the city raised some parking infraction fines—charging more for parking in handicap spots, bus lanes, bike lanes or crosswalks—and is working to direct a portion of those revenues to local organizations doing accessibility work.
Commissioners pressed about COTA’s on-demand/mainstream service coverage and whether LinkUS funding had supported COTA’s geographic expansion. De Padilla said LinkUS tax revenues funded both bus infrastructure and other mobility projects across the region, and she encouraged commissioners to invite COTA to present to the commission so members could raise concerns about coverage and accessibility directly with the transit agency.
De Padilla answered local project questions about sidewalks near Franklin County facilities and a phased shared-use path project on McNott Road, saying the city is moving projects forward in phases to reduce traffic disruption and to make selected stretches accessible and continuous over time.
She offered to follow up on specific sidewalk requests and encouraged commissioners and staff to schedule COTA for a future meeting.
No votes or formal directives were taken at the meeting because it lacked a quorum.
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