Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the FRA-33-24.49 project, PID 121811. This ordinance will allow ODOT's contractor to perform improvements on US 33 in each direction between I-270 and Gender Road (SR-674), of which a portion falls within the City's jurisdiction.
The aforementioned effort, which is slated to commence in the Fall of 2027, encompasses various improvements including: reducing congestion, improving safety, and enhancing regional mobility throughout the project area.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated cost to the City for this project, as ODOT shall assume and bear all associated costs unless there are features requested by the City of Columbus which are determined by the State and Federal Highway Administration to be unnecessary for the Project. Legislation authorizing any payment to ODOT for this project, if applicable, shall be authorized under a separate ordinance at a later time.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
This legislation is being put forth as an emergency measure as the Department of Public Service is required to provide a certified copy of this ordinance to ODOT on or before October 5th, 2026, in order to expedite the project and to promote highway safety.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to grant consent and propose cooperation with the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation relative to the FRA-33-24.49 project; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is administering the FRA-33-24.49 project, PID 121811, which encompasses various improvements including: reducing congestion, improving safety, and enhancing regional mobility throughout the project area. This ordinance will allow ODOT's contractor to perform improvements on US 33 in each direction between I-270 and Gender Road (SR-674); and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned project is located within the corporate boundaries of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to grant consent and to agree to cooperate with ODOT relative to the aforementioned project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize consent and cooperation for this project as the Department of Public Service is required to provide a certified copy of this ordinance to ODOT on or before October 5, 2026, in order to expedite the project and to promote highway safety, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That the following is an Ordinance enacted by the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, hereinafter referred to as the Local Public Agency (LPA).
SECTION 1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
WHEREAS, the STATE has identified the need for the described project:
Widen US 33 from two to three lanes in each direction from I-270 to Gender Rd (SR-674).
SECTION 2. CONSENT STATEMENT
Being in the public interest, the LPA gives consent to the Director of Transportation to complete the above described project.
SECTION 3. COOPERATION STATEMENT
The LPA shall cooperate with the Director of Transportation in the above described project as follows:
The State shall assume and bear 100% of all of the costs of the improvement, including maintenance of all newly installed devices.
The LPA further agrees to pay One Hundred Percent (100%) of the cost of those features requested by the LPA which are determined by the State and Federal Highway Administration to be unnecessary for the Project.
SECTION 4. UTILITIES AND RIGHT-OF-WAY STATEMENT
Upon completion of the described Project, and unless otherwise agreed, the LPA shall: (1) provide adequate maintenance for the described Project in accordance with all applicable state and federal law, including, but not limited to, 23 USC 116; (2) provide ample financial provisions, as necessary, for the maintenance of the described Project; (3) maintain the right-of-way, keeping it free of obstructions; and (4) hold said right-of-way inviolate for public highway purposes.
SECTION 5. MAINTENANCE
Upon completion of the described Project, and unless otherwise agreed, the LPA shall: (1) provide adequate maintenance for the described Project in accordance with all applicable state and federal law, including, but not limited to, 23 USC 116; (2) provide ample financial provisions, as necessary, for the maintenance of the described Project; (3) maintain the right-of-way, keeping it free of obstructions; and (4) hold said right-of-way inviolate for public highway purposes.
SECTION 6. AUTHORITY TO SIGN
The Director of Public Service of said City of Columbus is hereby empowered on behalf of the City of Columbus to enter into contracts with the Director of Transportation which is necessary to complete the above described project.
SECTION 7. EMERGENCY
That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves and or vetoes the same.