Construction begins on Westerville biking, walking paths

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Construction has kicked off on a multimillion dollar project aimed at improving pedestrian and biking pathways throughout a Westerville office district.

Contractors are installing the first phase, which includes concrete sidewalks on Brooksedge Drive between Schrock Road and Greencrest Drive within Westerville's Brooksedge Corporate Center. This phase, costing about $575,000, will also feature sidewalk installation along Greencrest Drive, in addition to complete curb and gutter replacement.

Westerville officials said through traffic will be maintained, but single lane closures can be expected during work hours, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The project's second phase, costing about $2.94 million, will be completed in 2025, with sidewalk installation along Brooksedge Boulevard, Park Meadow Road and Heatherdown Drive. Further pathways will also be constructed on Brooksedge Plaza Boulevard and Greencrest Drive. Curb and gutter repairs are included in this phase, too.

Named the "Brooksedge Mobility Plan," the project by Westerville officials aims to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the Brooksedge Corporate Center, which is home to businesses like Eagle Equipment, Vector Security, Archive Data Solutions, M Engineering and Goldfish Swim School.

Along with the Brooksedge project, Westerville is continuously repairing or replacing deficient sidewalk panels throughout the city at no direct cost to property owners. The program implemented in 2021 allows hazardous panels to be recorded by public complaint and then addressed during the following construction season as part of the city's "Street Rehabilitation Project."