Village Adopts Active Transportation Plan
Johnstown Village Council approved the Village’s first active transportation plan at their meeting on June 1, 2021. The plan was prepared by Licking County Area Transportation Study with assistance by the Village staff. This document will set the stage for improvements to our non-motorized transportation infrastructure.
Laid out and established in 1813, the Village of Johnstown grew slowly until the advent of local rail lines in 1880. It was at this point that Johnstown became a regional agricultural hub for the surrounding farmlands. Transportation would again transform Johnstown after Ohio State Route 37 (SR 37) and U.S. Route 62 (US 62) came through the Village in 1924 and 1930, respectively. The intersection of SR 37 and US 62 is the most significant crossroads for Johnstown, acting as the point around which the historic downtown centers. The old rail line has been partially converted to the T.J. Evans Trail, which is part of Alternate U.S. Bike Route 50 (USBR 50A).
Like the rest of the central Ohio region, Johnstown has grown significantly in the 21st century. The 2010 census population recorded 4,632 in the Village. The 2020 census population is expected to exceed 5,000 and propel Johnstown to city status. With the large amount of population growth in the region, and its location between the Columbus and Newark urbanized areas, Johnstown sits at an important regional crossroads of transportation as well as being a municipality that aims to provide meaningful job opportunities and civic amenities to its residents. The community will enrich life for its residents with an expanded active transportation network and facilitation of future transit improvements. These plans should posit Johnstown to implement desirable and successful multimodal connections in the future.
The main goals for the plan include:
Close gaps and build new connections to create an interconnected network that allows for efficient active transportation throughout Johnstown within the region.
Build a network that is safe and easy to use for people of all ages and abilities.
Work with community leaders, business owners and residents to encourage use of the network and promote the benefits of active transportation.
This plan recommends four types of facilities: sidewalks, trails, bicycle parking, and new or improved crosswalks. In total, 6.1 miles of trail, which will take the form of shared use paths and side paths, 1,004 feet of sidewalk, seven locations to house bicycle parking, three new crosswalks and two crosswalk improvements comprise the recommended projects for the Village of Johnstown to improve active transportation in the community. Many of these projects will require partnerships with public and private organizations to implement.
You can read the entire Active Transportation Plan.
Questions may be directed to Bailey Klimchak, Village Planner.