Politics
Columbus City Council Approves $48 Million Infrastructure Bond for 2027 Paving
Residents along High Street and other corridors will encounter construction zones and possible detours beginning in March 2027 after the council's approval of the $48 million measure.
How we reported this
Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 2026-112 on July 7 by a 6-3 vote, authorizing a general obligation bond for street resurfacing and bridge repairs across five council districts. The measure draws from the city's capital improvements plan and requires repayment over 20 years through existing sales tax revenue. Work will target 18 miles of roadway identified in the 2025 pavement condition survey.
The vote occurred during the council's regular session at City Hall on East Broad Street. Council members reviewed the public works department report that ranked streets by pavement condition index scores below 60. The ordinance sets aside $48 million, with $29 million allocated to resurfacing and the remainder for bridge deck replacements on the Scioto River crossings.
Implementation Timeline
Engineering design work begins in September 2026 under the terms of the ordinance. Bid packages will be released in December 2026, and construction contracts are expected to be awarded by February 2027. The public works department projects that crews will mobilize on High Street between Broad Street and Fifth Avenue in March 2027, with additional segments on Livingston Avenue and Cleveland Avenue following in summer 2027.
Local advocates note that the staggered schedule allows the city to maintain two-way traffic on most routes during peak hours. The ordinance requires the public works director to issue monthly progress reports starting in April 2027, which will be posted on the city's website.
Effects on Daily Life
Commuters who travel these corridors during morning and evening peaks will face lane reductions and temporary traffic signals for periods of four to six weeks per segment. The 2025 traffic count data recorded 42,000 vehicles daily on the High Street section, so drivers are projected to add an average of eight minutes to trips once work starts. Residents in nearby neighborhoods can request the full construction schedule from their council member's office beginning in January 2027.
Businesses along the affected streets will receive notice 90 days before work begins, allowing time to adjust delivery routes. The ordinance does not change property taxes or utility rates in the current fiscal year, with the first debt service payments scheduled for the 2028 budget cycle according to the city's finance department projections.