Get ready to lace up your sneakers and pump up your bike tires, because the Capital Line is officially moving from vision to reality.
Construction is set to begin in December on the first phase of the Capital Line, a $100 million pedestrian and bicycle pathway that city leaders say will transform how people move through Downtown Columbus.
Led by Downtown Columbus Inc. in partnership with the City of Columbus Department of Public Service, the Capital Line will stretch two miles through the heart of the city, connecting neighborhoods, greenspaces, attractions, and job centers. The goal is to create a pedestrian-focused corridor that makes it easier and safer to explore Downtown.
Phase One: East Gay Street Gets a Glow-Up
The project’s first phase, a reimagining of East Gay Street, will begin this winter and continue through 2027.
- Stage 1 (Dec 2025–July 2026): Crews will stabilize underground vaults beneath East Gay Street. This early work will happen mostly below ground and is not expected to disrupt traffic or pedestrians.
- Stage 2 (Feb–June 2026): Underground utilities will be relocated and replaced in coordination with two dozen service providers. Partial street closures and brief water shutoffs are expected, but one eastbound lane will remain open and all sidewalks will stay accessible.
- Stage 3 (June 2026–Oct 2027): Each block along East Gay Street will be resurfaced and redesigned with new paving, landscaping, benches, lighting, and other pedestrian-friendly features. Blocks will close to vehicles for three to four months at a time, but foot traffic will remain open.
Once complete, the Capital Line will offer a scenic, connected route stretching from the Gay Street District, across the Broad and Rich Street bridges, to The Peninsula and back again.
More Than a Pathway
The Capital Line isn’t just about getting from one place to another. It’s about reimagining how Downtown connects people to spaces, culture, and opportunity.
Connection points along the route include some of Columbus’ most recognizable landmarks: the Current sculpture, the Scioto Mile riverfront, the National Veterans Memorial & Museum, COSI, and Columbus Commons. Future developments like Preston Centre and The Continental Centre will continue to bring new energy to the corridor.
“As so many Columbus success stories are, this is a project made possible by public-private partnership,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther when the project was first announced. “I’m especially proud of how this is being done in direct response to resident feedback. The Capital Line will enhance equity and community pride, providing a safe way to walk or bike through our Downtown and an easily accessible connection to transit.”
Looking Ahead
Similar projects across the country, such as the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, have generated significant economic growth, with returns reaching into the hundreds of millions. The Capital Line aims to follow suit, bringing vibrancy and opportunity to Downtown Columbus.
“This is the kind of project that is befitting of a great city in a growing region,” said Amy Taylor, President of Downtown Columbus Inc. “It embodies our ambition to ensure Downtown is for everyone.”
By late 2027, Downtown Columbus will have a new, people-first corridor connecting its most iconic destinations — a place designed not just to pass through, but to enjoy.
To see updated renderings, construction details, and project news, visit downtowncolumbus.com.
